Something special is happening at JLIC NYU/Downtown this year. We’re only one week into the semester, and the energy is off the charts. New leadership, fresh programming, and an enthusiasm that’s genuinely contagious.
Meet Your New JLIC Directors
Rabbi Zechariah (who introduces himself as Rabbi Z) is that rare combination of tech genius and Torah educator. He spends his days as a software engineer at Google, but you’ll find him teaching Torah just as enthusiastically at night (and frankly, any other time you’ll let him). After studying at Yeshivat Har Etzion, earning his B.Sc. in Computer Science from YU, and getting semicha from RIETS, he’s mastered the art of bringing people together. Good food? Check. Deep questions? Absolutely. Conversations that actually matter? That’s his specialty. Whether he’s cooking up a storm, dropping an unexpected Torah insight, or explaining something complex in a way that finally makes sense, Rabbi Zechariah gets it. It’s all about connection. He wants to build the kind of community at NYU where students feel at home asking the real questions, building genuine relationships, and celebrating what it means to be Jewish.
Elyanna will win you over with her babka before you even realize how brilliant she is. She just finished the Tanach and Halacha fellowship at Tagel in Jerusalem and is wrapping up her Master’s in Israel Studies at Hebrew University. For two years, she taught Jewish Philosophy and Family Life at Chorev High School for Girls, creating the kind of classroom where students actually wanted to explore big ideas and ask tough questions. She’s got her B.A. in Marketing & Management from Touro (MMY alum represent!), plus real-world experience in marketing and healthcare consulting. Elyanna is passionate about Tanach and Jewish philosophy, and she has this gift for making huge concepts feel personal and relevant. When she’s not deep in Torah discussion or whipping up something delicious in the kitchen, you might catch her painting, reading British novels, or writing surprisingly thoughtful essays about reality TV. Elyanna’s here to help create the kind of Jewish community at NYU that feels both intellectually exciting and genuinely warm.
One Week In, and We’re Already Rolling
Seriously, look at what these two have pulled off in just seven days:
Welcome Back BBQ
They started strong with great food and the kind of hospitality that makes you feel like you belong from minute one.
Parsha and Breakfast
Weekly Torah learning that’s intimate, accessible, and already has students asking for more.
Rabbi Z’s Halacha Q&A Chat
Got a practical halacha question? Want to hash out the real challenges of being Orthodox in downtown Manhattan? Students are jumping into this chat for answers that actually help with daily life.
Women’s Challah BakeHands-on tradition, real community, and conversations that matter.
First JLIC Shiur + Dinner: “New Year, New Me?”
Here’s the number that tells you everything: 35-40 students showed up. For the first event. That’s not just attendance, that’s excitement.
This past Friday night, they hosted a student oneg in their apartment and garden that showed what this community is becoming. Thirty-plus students showed up, with two popular cholents and the kind of atmosphere where people open up. Real conversations, Torah discussions, singing that went late into the night. You could see students getting comfortable in a way that doesn’t always happen right away. It’s one thing to plan programming, but watching students naturally connect in someone’s living room? That’s when you know something special is happening.
A Community That’s Coming Alive
The change is real and it’s immediate. Students are connecting in ways that feel authentic. Conversations are flowing from everyday questions to life’s biggest ideas. The Orthodox community at NYU feels more alive, more welcoming, and more vibrant than it has in a long time.
This isn’t just about new programming, it’s about a shift in how this community feels. Rabbi Z. and Elyanna have brought something that’s hard to define but easy to feel: warmth, intellectual curiosity, and real care for each student. People are responding not just to individual events, but to a community culture that makes space for questions, growth, and celebration.
Leadership That Makes a Difference
Rabbi Josh Ross, Executive Director of JLIC, is equally excited about the new energy at NYU/Downtown: “I couldn’t be more thrilled about what Rabbi Zechariah and Elyanna are bringing to JLIC NYU/Downtown. When we were searching for new directors, we needed people who could combine serious Torah learning with genuine warmth, and these two have exceeded every expectation.
What’s remarkable is how quickly they’ve built authentic community. Thirty-five students at their first shiur, a halacha chat that’s starting to buzz with real questions… that’s not just good programming, that’s leadership students actually want to engage with.
Rabbi Z. brings incredible intellectual rigor with down-to-earth relatability, while Elyanna has this gift for making every student feel seen and valued. Together, they’re creating exactly the environment where Orthodox students can grow, question, and celebrate their Judaism.
Watching them hit the ground running has been incredible. The energy they’ve brought is contagious, and I can’t wait to see what they build throughout the year.”
We’re Just Getting Started
Here’s what’s exciting: this is week one. The momentum building at JLIC NYU/Downtown suggests this year is going to be filled with growth, authentic connections, and experiences that actually matter for Orthodox students navigating college life in Manhattan.
The energy is electric, the community is thriving, and honestly? We’re just getting started. Welcome to a new chapter at JLIC NYU/Downtown.
Reach out to any of our Directors to learn more about JLIC and to support our programming.