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Thank you for taking the time to share your information regarding your interest in becoming a mentor or seeking career assistance. We look forward to extending our support services to you.
JELF Success Stories
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Lianne M.
Lianne M.
University of Southern CaliforniaB.S.When I was younger my parents gave me a reality check by telling me that my only college option was community college. Nonetheless, after 4 years of hard work, 20 college applications, and the generosity of JELF I was able to accept a spot at USC. It took a lot of convincing, but with the support of JELF my parents confidently let me go pursue my dreams in LA , where I was involved in Jewish Heritage Program, Jewish Greek Leadership and made the Dean’s List at USC!
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Andrew S.
Andrew S.
Johns Hopkins UniversityB.S., Neuroscience and General BiologyThank you so much JELF for helping to fund my education!!
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Benjamin W.
Benjamin W.
Boston UniversityDr. Benjamin Warsaw is a classical pianist, composer, teacher, and accompanist, and has performed numerous solo and ensemble concerts throughout North America. Concert highlights include, Schwartz Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA; Yamaha Hall and Haydn Birthplace, Vienna, Austria; O’Shaughnessy Theatre, Minneapolis, MN; JFK Birthplace, Boston, MA; and performed original compositions for President Carter during a live broadcast at the Carter Center.
Benjamin has studied and performed solo and chamber music and original compositions in summer festivals and masterclasses such as, Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Wiener Masterclasses, Banff Center Piano Master Classes, Chautauqua Institution, Brandywine International Piano Festival, International Keyboard Festival at Mannes, Rebecca Penneys Piano Festival, and Blue Lake Fine Arts, where his original compositions were featured on NPR.
A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Benjamin holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Eastman School of Music where he studied with Rebecca Penneys. He completed his Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance at Boston University under the tutelage of the late Anthony di Bonaventura. He is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, Music Teachers National Association, and the Savannah Music Teachers Association. Benjamin is Assistant Professor at Armstrong State University, Savannah, GA. There he teaches piano and theory and is Artistic Director of Piano in the Arts. In 2015 Benjamin released his debut album, Warsaw plays Warsaw, featuring a set of 24 Preludes of original music for piano.
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Brittany F.
Brittany F.
Vanderbilt UniversityPolitical Science and American StudiesNot 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.
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Sara S.
Sara S.
University of South CarolinaR.N. -
Allison F.
Allison F.
University of North CarolinaBachelor of PsychologyWithout JELF I would have no way to pay the remainder of my tuition after scholarships and grants. With the help of JELF, I am able to earn my bachelor’s degree so that I can pursue my career goals of becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist. I am so thankful for every person who has donated to JELF so that other students who are just like me are able to achieve their goals.
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Lonnie P.
Lonnie P.
Virginia WeslyanBA in Social Science“The JELF organization helped my family afford college for both me and my brother. JELF provided an invaluable service to us. Going to college was made more affordable, and the repayment of the loans was easy to manage once we graduated from school. JELF was introduced to us at a very important time in our lives, and it has contributed to our success.”
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Shelley S.
Shelley S.
UNC GreensboroB.A., Media StudiesThank you so much for your support during the past four years of my education! To have additional support from this community was extremely impactful during my time in school. The fact that my class had to face a pandemic while trying to complete our education was incredibly difficult. However, with JELF’s help, I did not have to worry about my finances while facing the altered learning situation the pandemic caused. I am happy to announce that I graduated Summa Cum Laude this past May. It would not of happened without JELF’s support. I thank you all so much, from the bottom of my heart. Being apart of the Jewish community is something that I hold very close to my heart. It is wonderful to be able to celebrate with this wonderful community as I continue my journey into my career.
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Heather L.
Heather L.
Indiana University, Georgia State University, Capella UniversityB.A., PhD in Psychology“While doing my undergraduate work at Indiana University, I received a JELF loan. After college, I went on to obtain a Master’s degree and Educational Specialists degree in Counseling. In 2013, I received my PhD in Psychology. Currently, I am in a private psychotherapy practice with offices in Midtown Atlanta and Smyrna, Georgia. I work with adults on a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, substance abuse, relationship issues, and weight loss.
This is a picture of me and my daughter, Florie. Being a mom is my other job and also my favorite!”
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Evaline D.
Evaline D.
Erskine College & Life UniversityPhysical Fitness + Psychology, Doctor of ChiropracticEven 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!
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Sydney L.
Sydney L.
Wesleyan University“JELF made it possible for me to attend Wesleyan University where I founded a preschool program for low-income children, worked in the Cognitive Development Lab, volunteered at a local clinic, taught a student forum on education policy, became a leader in a feminist activist group and wrote a 150-page thesis. I graduated with high honors and accepted a position as Assistant Dean of Admission of Wesleyan.”
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Danielle B.
Danielle B.
Indiana UniversityBA in MediaHi! My name is Danielle Brawrmen and I am a current freshman at Indiana University – Bloomington. I am a first-generation student in the United States and am pursuing a BA in Media with a concentration in Media Technologies, Games, and Culture and a specialization in Digital Journalism. JELF’s last dollar assistance has allowed me the opportunity to pursue my ideal major at my dream school, and I am forever grateful for that.
I am fortunate enough to have my family contribute to my tuition, but without JELF, none of it would have been possible. Before graduation, I hope to study abroad and participate in some sort of internship in order to develop a better concept of what is expected of me post-graduation. After graduation I would love to be a creative consultant/editor for some sort of magazine. Since I was younger, I have always wanted to be part of that fast-paced environment and I am working hard in order to achieve that goal. I am extremely grateful to JELF for allowing me the opportunity to pursue the best education for me and am thankful to everyone who played a part in helping me be here.
Bringing it Full Circle!
Since 2014, JELF has seen a 150% increase in Alumni giving! We continue to add more JELFies to our Full Circle Society each year - those who have received a JELF loan and now understand the importance and are able to give back themselves.
1,075 Full Circle Members
150% Alumni Giving Increase
26% Full Circle Percentage
$100K Full Circle Donations
Many JELF loan recipients are vital members of the JELF community – in turn, helping future Jewish students in need
$900K repaid last year.
This is one of the main ways our fund for new loans is replenished
JELF Alumni Leadership
16% of current JELF Board members are either former recipients themselves or have a close family member who was a JELF recipient!
Volunteering to Lend a Hand
Each year scores of volunteers from around JELF's five-state region personally review each loan applications
Tomer T.
"There was a low point in my life where I couldn't feed myself. JELF provided me with the funds to be able to pay for basic life necessities. That's why it's so important to me as a donor to give back to JELF"