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“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.”

Hi! 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. 

When it came to college tuition, Spencer Weiser knew his family would have a shortfall. His father, a management consultant, lost his job during the recession. Family medical bills had eaten significantly into savings. Spencer’s dad went looking for ways to help pay for his son’s education. Spencer was able to get a scholarship from Northwestern, as well as work/study and federal loans–but it wasn’t enough. Thankfully, JELF funded the rest.

Because of JELF, Spencer was able to be more involved in both his university and fraternity, and have time to do the important climate change research that he was passionate about. Since graduating with a double major in economics and environmental studies, Spencer has been working as a strategy consultant in an environmental practice. He plans on going back to school for a master’s degree and will apply to JELF for funding once again. As he put it, “Honestly, I can’t thank JELF enough.”

My sister and I would not be where we are today without the help of the Jewish community and organizations such as JELF. I plan on donating to JELF when I am successful and financially able so that I can help students like myself who go through similar struggles and financial barriers.

“JELF helped me go to SCAD, the Savannah College of Art and Design. I’m a Junior, and currently a painting major, minoring in art history.  JELF is also helping me to follow my dreams to be a painter like my Zayde, who was also a Holocaust survivor.”

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!

“My JELF loan is giving me the opportunity to study education.  Knowing the Jewish community is supporting my education and helping me accomplish my dream of going to college is very comforting.  Thank you for believing in me.  It is a wonderful feeling that the Jewish community is behind me and is helping me accomplish my goal of becoming a future educator.”

When I was adopted in 6th grade, the Jewish community welcomed me with open arms.  With the continued support of the Jewish community and the JELF loan, I was able to choose the perfect college for me and not worry about how to pay for school.  This has helped me make a dream come true by attending college.”

Anything that helped assist me through college has gotten me to where I am today – married, with kids, and in a Director position! School is stressful enough as it is and JELF has helped me with taking a load off my shoulders.

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.

I grew up in Miami, Florida and went through the public school education system since kindergarten. My parents always tried to find a way for me to stay connected to Judaism.  Though I did not like it very much, I attended Hebrew School in preparation for my Bar Mitzvah. Then, upon starting 10th grade, my parents and friends convinced me to try Maccabi Tzair Miami, a youth movement that develops leadership among Jewish teens. From the first week, I fell in love with this program. I became more and more involved with Maccabi and still participate at an international level.

When I was applying for college, I did not know where I wanted to go, or what I wanted to study. I visited many schools but one stood out over all the others – Georgia Tech in Atlanta was a perfect fit.  Georgia Tech specializes in Industrial Engineering and this is what I have decided to study.  When my parents told me that they would need help paying for college, I was very grateful to learn about JELF, as the idea of graduating with too much debt really worries me. JELF has helped turn my dream of studying Industrial Engineering at Georgia Tech into reality!

The biggest impact JELF has had on my life was during the summer of 2015. There were no classes for me to attend or books to buy, instead, my studies led me to Los Angeles California where I completed an unpaid public relations internship for a world renowned fashion designer.

Knowing that JELF would be there to support my studies later in the fall, I was able to focus full time on my internship. By the end of the summer, I acquired many new skills and the confidence to move forward with my career aspirations. The internship allowed me to graduate a semester early from Northern Illinois University and accept my dream job in LA.

While the unpaid internship model is slowly disappearing from our society (about darn time), I’m thankful that JELF stepped in before my finances could squash my chances of pursuing my dream.

JELF made it possible for me and my brother to continue our education during a very difficult time for my family financially. I’ll never forget that IT IS BECAUSE OF JELF we are succeeding in our professional lives today.

Shaayna was accepted into college right as the 2007 financial crisis began. Her parents, both independent business owners, suddenly couldn’t make ends meet and didn’t have enough saved. Even with university scholarships, Work-Study, federal loans and a Parent Plus loan, Shaayna was unable to make ends meet. Luckily, she found out about JELF through BBYO.

Today, she has been able to buy a house for her and her parents. Shaayna just got married and is now looking for ways to give back. She wants to help other women succeed and has started mentoring younger associates at her firm. “Thank goodness for JELF,” she said, “It’s such a great program.”