As a result of COVID, and the shift of many universities to online class models, an increasing number of students are living at home in large Orthodox population centers such as Teaneck or the Five Towns, instead of on-campus.  For many of these students there are limited local options for them to study Torah, build community, engage in safe social opportunities, or engage in organized Chesed/community service that are designed or targeted specifically for them and their peers.

In response, OU-JLIC has hired two part-time program coordinators to work with students, OU-JLIC professionals, and local communal institutions to develop ongoing programming opportunities that are designed for and specifically meet the needs of undergraduate students living at home.   The two programs will launch after Thanksgiving!

Teaneck/Englewood/Bergenfield Community Coordinator:

Rabbi Yoni Pollock teaches Talmud and Chumash at the Frisch School. He graduated from Yeshiva College with a degree in Psychology and received an MA in Jewish Education from the Azrieli School of Jewish Education and Administration. He spent a year learning at the YU Gruss Kollel in Jerusalem while working at Yeshivat Torat Shraga. Rabbi Pollock received his semicha from RIETS and completed the RIETS-Ferkauf certificate program in mental health counseling. During the summers, Rabbi Pollock serves as Head Counsellor at Camp Lavi, having previously been the Director of NCSY Israel In Depth. Rabbi Pollock lives in Bergenfield with his wife Leba, a high school guidance counselor, and their daughters Baylee, Ella and Molly.

Five Towns Community Coordinator:

Rabbi Jacob Braun teaches Talmud and Chumash at North Shore Hebrew Academy. He graduated from Yeshiva College with a degree in Psychology, received an MA in Jewish Education from the Azrieli School of Jewish Education and Administration. Rabbi Braun studied in the RIETS Kollel and received semicha from Rav Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer. Prior to joining the faculty at North Shore, Rabbi Braun was an Assistant Rebbe at MTA High School and a Shoel U’Mayshiv at YU’s BMP program. Before college he spent two years learning at Yeshivat Kerem B’Yavneh. Rabbi Braun lives in Woodmere with his wife Gavi, an ABA therapist, and their daughter Tehilla.