Articles New Endowment Established to Support Jewish Clergy Families through JELF

The Judith and Aaron Alembik Endowment Fund has been created to help JELF (Jewish Educational Loan Fund) provide critical support to the children of Jewish clergy. The $1 million endowment, which honors the late Aaron Alembik’s legacy, was established in partnership with his family, who have made their home in Atlanta for many years.

Aaron Alembik, a Holocaust survivor who emigrated to the United States, built a successful legal career and, together with his wife, Judith, became a strong advocate for the power of education. They made education a top priority for their family, ensuring their sons had the tools to pursue higher education. Today, their son Marc is a physician in Virginia, while their son Gary is a lawyer in Atlanta.

In memory of Aaron, the Alembik family’s endowment will help ensure that the children of rabbis, cantors, and other Jewish clergy receive the support they need to achieve their educational goals. “Rabbis and cantors are central to our Jewish communities,” says Gary Alembik. “This endowment is our way of honoring their contributions by helping their children access the education they deserve through JELF.”

JELF CEO Jenna Shulman expressed deep gratitude for this generous gift. “We are incredibly thankful to the Alembik family for their faith in JELF and their commitment to the future of Jewish clergy families. This endowment will allow us to continue supporting these students as education costs soar.”

JELF has been providing interest-free loans to Jewish students for nearly 150 years. In 2024, the organization will lend $2.1 million to Jewish students across Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia (excluding metro D.C.). However, as tuition continues to rise, fundraising efforts like the Alembik Endowment are more important than ever to meet growing needs.

Board Chair Emily Sauerteig highlights this point: “As education costs increase, JELF is committed to helping students achieve their educational goals, but we must continue raising funds to meet the demand of current and future applicants.  We are so grateful to the Alembiks for making it possible to support our clergy’s children.”

JELF’s next loan application window opens on January 1, 2025. For more information about JELF and the Judith and Aaron Alembik Endowment Fund, visit www.JELF.org/clergy.