Rabbi Joel and Jenny Finkelstein have arrived at Brandeis with their daughter Shira, and the JLIC community couldn’t be more excited. After just a few weeks on campus, it’s already clear they’re bringing something special to Jewish life here.
Rabbi Joel’s Path to Brandeis
Rabbi Joel grew up in West Hempstead, New York, then headed to the University at Buffalo for History and Jewish Studies. But it was his fellowship at Mizzou Hillel through the Springboard program that really changed everything. Working with college students lit a fire in him for Jewish community work.
From there, he dove deep into Torah learning at Aish, Sh’or Yoshuv, and the Yeshiva of Greater Washington’s Zichron Amram Kollel. When he’s not busy with students these days, he loves taking family walks or finding a good spot to learn with a nice view. There’s something refreshing about someone who can balance serious scholarship with life’s simple pleasures.
Jenny Brings Her Teaching Heart
Jenny’s journey started in Newton, Massachusetts, where she grew up before studying kinesiology at the University of Michigan. A year learning at Neve Yerushalyim in Jerusalem changed her perspective completely. She came back and earned her master’s in elementary and special education from Johns Hopkins, then taught in DC Public Schools.
Teaching showed her how much she loves watching students discover and grow. Now she’s bringing that same energy to Brandeis students, with plans for challah bakes and cooking events that sound pretty perfect after a long week of classes.
They’re Already All In
The Finkelsteins didn’t waste any time getting started. Their first Tuesday Night Torah session was absolutely packed. TNT has always been popular at Brandeis, but there was something different about this one. The energy was incredible.
They’re also doing coffee dates with students to sit down and get to know them. This week, they’re jumping into JLIC’s 9/11 commemoration where ten communities across the country are delivering breakfast to 2,000 first responders. They’re not just settling into campus life, they’re embracing the whole JLIC mission.
What’s Coming Next
The enthusiasm is contagious throughout the JLIC organization. As Rabbi Josh Ross, Executive Director of JLIC, puts it: “We are incredibly grateful to have Rabbi Joel and Jenny Finkelstein join our JLIC family at Brandeis. Their unique combination of Torah scholarship, educational excellence, and genuine passion for student engagement makes them the perfect fit for this vibrant community. I’m excited to see how their fresh perspectives and warm approach will continue to elevate Jewish life on campus and create meaningful connections that will last a lifetime.”
With Rabbi Joel’s Torah background and Jenny’s gift for education, plus the fact that they genuinely seem to enjoy being around college students, this year feels like it’s going to be different in all the right ways.
The Finkelsteins want to know their students as individuals and help them figure out what Jewish life means to them personally.
Welcome to Brandeis, Rabbi Joel, Jenny, and Shira. We’re excited to see where this goes.
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