JELF Alumni are giving back There are many ways to
bring it full circle.

JELF has made me feel more in control of my life during a financially difficult time. Going into thousands of dollars of loans to pursue the education you have always dreamed of pursuing is a difficult step in life. But JELF’s kindness has made me feel supported by the Jewish community as well as have some peace of mind when dealing with the financial aspect of my future.

From an early age, David’s father struggled with an addiction that eventually took his life. His single mother did what she could to raise three children on her own but just didn’t have the money for college. It was a huge stress for David to come up with ways to pay for his education, so David felt relieved when he received a JELF loan. David was able to go to the University of Georgia, and subsequently earn his degree and become a successful businessman.

David now owns two businesses and he and his wife are educating three children of their own. After he paid his JELF loan off, he felt such a sense of pride that he continued to support the organization as a donor.

Today, David participates in JELF’s loan reviews, assists with marketing efforts, and is proud to be a donor. “It’s now my turn to give back to the hundreds of students JELF helps each year,” he says.

Having the opportunity to be supported by the generous donors at JELF throughout my undergraduate career gave me the luxury of not having to worry about how to pay for tuition or rent while at Florida State. Ultimately, this provided me the ability of being able focus solely on what was most important to me, which was doing well in school and my career development. During my time spent at Florida State, I can confidently say I would not be where I am today without the assistance of organizations like JELF. I am forever grateful to be in the position I am today and to be able to give back to those that believed in me when I needed it the most.

Originally from Richmond, Arielle is currently a junior at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA. With aspirations to become a psychiatrist, she is majoring in psychology and on track to graduate in 2023. Arielle participates in a Greek society on campus and volunteers for the local children’s hospital, the Red Cross and an organization called Fear to Freedom. She also started a surf club at the university and participates on the sail team.

As the middle of three siblings in a divorced household, her mother works as a gifted resource teacher in the public school system and also tutors part-time. Sadly, Arielle’s father, who was a sales director for a hotel, passed away this past March.

Arielle’s oldest sibling, a former JELF recipient who is currently repaying their loan in good standing, also graduated from Christopher Newport University, where the family has third generation ties. Her sibling now works as a financial consultant. Arielle’s younger sibling will also be entering Christopher Newport University as a freshman this coming fall.

Previously, Arielle’s parents had always split the bills for their three children but since their father’s passing, Arielle’s mother is now solely responsible. With two children in school this year, finances are especially strained. To help make up the difference, Arielle worked full-time as an ocean rescue lifeguard this past summer (in previous summers, while doing this, she also saved 2 people from drowning!).

Arielle and her family have not only demonstrated their need for JELF’s 0% interest loans but their hardship, perseverance and hard-working mentality. JELF is incredibly proud to helped all three siblings work towards earning their degree…and looks forward to seeing where they go next!

Growing up in a single parent household with two younger sisters and working three jobs at a time, I was always worried about being able afford to chase my dream job. However, because of the aide I received from JELF I have been able to move to Nashville, TN from Savannah, GA to pursue a degree in counseling, with an emphasis in school counseling, at Vanderbilt University.

Not only am I now able to chase after my dream job, but I am being led on this journey by top ranked professors in a nationally renowned program. I never could have imagined being where I am today, but thanks to JELF, I’m breaking boundaries I previously thought impossible. While I faced several challenges in the last year with COVID, a robbery, and the passing of a few close family members, I have been able to put my focus aside from finances and focus on the things at hand. I cannot thank all of the JELF donors enough for providing me with these opportunities, and I am eager to begin paying it forward.

Chiropractic school is insanely expensive, however, it’s the career where I know I’m going to love what I do and to be able to help so many people. JELF is helping me pay my way through school and reduce my debt on the back end. I am so grateful for this organization!

While I applied to college not knowing what I would major in, I did know two things — I wanted to go to Virginia Tech, and that I would be paying for it myself. A JELF loan was one of the ways I was able to do this — bridging the gap in my own savings, the money I was able to earn through my on-campus Federal Work-Study job, and any other Financial Aid I had available.

I was able to major in something I was passionate about — Interdisciplinary Studies, with a focus on Leadership, Social Justice, and Judaic Studies — and graduate in three years, going on to earn my Master’s degree and take the next step towards a career in higher education administration and career services, where I have been happily contributing to college student success for nearly 15 years on different campuses. JELF honored all that I had put into exploring and honing my Jewish identity in high school, and made it possible for me to engage in Jewish life and studies in college, as well.

I was largely independent in school, relying on student aid and loans to pay for my tuition and living expenses. Chabad singlehandedly fed me week to week. I learned about JELF at a low-point where I was facing severe financial trouble. Without JELF I would not have been able to continue my degree and my studies. I had maxed out the (frustratingly) high-interest loans I was allotted and only wish I had learned about JELF earlier! JELF was literally there when I needed them most.

JELF taught me early on about value on resourcefulness in pursuing your dreams. I had merit scholarships, but they were not enough to cover my tuition and books. JELF’s loan supplemented my scholarship funds and gave me the peace of mind to focus on my studies without worrying about finances. Thank you, JELF, for supporting me and so many others!

Not only did JELF help make it possible for me to afford Vanderbilt University, a top-15 private school, but it was at Vanderbilt Hillel where I first understood how fulfilling it is to be a part of a Jewish community. It was at Vanderbilt where I went to Israel for the first time on a Birthright Trip with my classmates. And it was at Vanderbilt where I met my husband Andrew – who has truly made my dreams come true. I am incredibly grateful and committed to giving back to this fantastic fund that has brought so many blessings into my life.

Even with the scholarships I got to attend undergrad, I was coming up short to attend college. There was no other way for me to go to school. Without the help of JELF I know I wouldn’t have been able to go to undergrad. Not only did they help me financially, but mentally as well. I got cards and letters of encouragement for my attendance and grades from the staff. The letters were so encouraging, I knew I could handle any post grad work I decided to follow. It secured a promise that I made to myself during those years, I will always support JELF financially and physically to the best of my ability throughout my life!

The financial assistance JELF provided allowed me to attend college after high school, as opposed to working and going back to school later. Once I graduated, I was able to pay JELF back with the income I was making using my degree. As a social worker, I always knew I wanted to help people. Thank you JELF for helping ME achieve MY goals! I couldn’t have done it without you!