Bridging Communities: OU Relief Missions and JLIC at Rutgers Transform Lives in Mumbai and Mokhada 

This winter break, OU Relief Missions, in partnership with JLIC at Rutgers, embarked on a transformative journey to India, led by Rabbi Avi Schwartz, JLIC Director. Together with 13 Rutgers students and alumni, the group spent ten unforgettable days blending volunteering, cultural discovery, and profound personal growth, underscoring the impact of compassion and collective action. 

The journey began in the bustling city of Mumbai, where participants were immersed in the vibrant culture and Jewish life. Shabbat was celebrated with the Chabad of Mumbai and Knesseth Eliyahoo Synagogue, fostering connections with the local Jewish community and embracing the warmth of Jewish unity across the globe. The students explored the rich Jewish history of Mumbai, meeting local community members and learning how Jewish traditions have flourished in India for generations. 

In the Kalwa slums of Mumbai, students faced the stark realities of poverty while witnessing hope in action. They partnered with Gabriel Project Mumbai (GPM), an organization addressing not only poverty but the systemic barriers that perpetuate it. The group observed GPM’s impactful initiatives, such as water purification programs and heavily subsidized private education, designed to break the cycle of poverty and create lasting change. 

Reflecting on the experience, Nessa Lippe, a senior psychology major from Fair Lawn, shared: 

“Seeing how one Jew can be such a light for the world was truly eye-opening. The mission showed how important education is from such a young and formative age, and how anyone can impact a child’s life that will have positive ripples in the future.” 

From Mumbai, the mission continued to Mokhada, a rural region in northern Maharashtra, where the students engaged deeply with tribal communities. Despite witnessing the intense poverty in the villages, they were inspired by the villagers’ contentment and resilience. 

The students participated in meaningful volunteer projects in Mokhada: 

• Healthcare Outreach: Visiting a field hospital where GPM supports malnourished children and provides life-saving oxygen tanks. 
• Sustainability Efforts: Painting trees with a protective lime and blue copper mixture to prevent pest infestations and secure crops.
• Education Initiatives: Splitting into small groups, the students taught English at a tribal boarding school over three days. Their lessons culminated in a lively seminar on hygiene, using games and songs to engage the children. 

In a powerful act of kindness, the Rutgers group was challenged to raise $300 for hygiene kits, containing toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and hand towels. Surpassing all expectations, they raised over $900 in under 18 hours, ensuring kits for not just their own students but the entire school. 

Rabbi Oran Bendelstein of OU Relief Missions expressed his pride in the students, stating: 

“I was so impressed with the JLIC at Rutgers students, seeing them step up to the plate. Whether it was the teaching, the love, the learning, and most of all, how they fundraised as a group for the kids that they may never see again.” 

The mission concluded with a meaningful stopover in Munich, Germany. During a ten-hour layover, the group visited the site of the 1972 Munich Massacre and Dachau concentration camp. These visits became a moment of profound reflection on the choices humanity faces: the ease of bringing darkness into the world versus the commitment to spreading light through service and love. 

Rabbi Avi Schwartz of JLIC Rutgers highlighted the mission’s lasting impact: 

“Our students decided that this mission isn’t going to be the end of their journey, rather a stepping stone for their future of making their impact as a Jew, not just for their own communities, but for the world as a whole.” 

The mission was also a deeply educational experience for the participants, offering a comprehensive understanding of sustainable development. Meira Barenholtz, a sophomore genetics major, reflected: 

“My time in India was an eye-opening experience that taught me about a holistic approach to community development, through the pillars of education, health, nutrition, and livelihoods.” 

This journey was a testament to the power of Jewish values and collective action. The students returned inspired to continue making an impact, not just as individuals but as a unified community striving to spread goodness wherever they go. 

As Rabbi Bendelstein put it, “The light of one person can ignite a world.” 

OU Relief Missions and JLIC invite college groups and community organizations to join future missions, embracing opportunities to learn, serve, and grow. Together, we can bring light to every corner of the globe.