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David P.

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.

Isaac D.

JELF has always been about community to me. The loans come from generous donors whose mitzvot are blessings to recipients and families, strengthening our unity as Jewish Americans. Even the JELF staff are household names to my family. My success is largely related to the stress-free, and of course interest-free, financial aid JELF offered.

“My life and my faith wouldn’t be the same without the JELF community. Thank you all.”

Isaac is currently an insurance agent in Greenville, SC.

Alexander D.

JELF allowed me to focus on my grades and furthering my education rather than focusing on how I would pay for college and make ends meet. They helped me take my first step towards my ultimate goal of being a licensed clinical social worker working with children who have survived trauma.

Joshua K.

Joshua worked hard to earn a 3.5 GPA in high school. He had good SAT scores and participated in extracurricular activities. Yet, when he started talking about college, he realized that his parents just didn’t have the college savings he had hoped. Joshua didn’t know how much his father’s multiple sclerosis had affected the family’s finances. After getting student government loans for tuition, Joshua turned to JELF for the necessary living expenses he needed to attend school full-time.

During college, Joshua dedicated himself to learning his craft at his university’s English program. He wrote for the student paper during the day and studied at the school’s Chabad house in the evenings. After graduating, Joshua decided to apply his passion for writing as a means of giving back and began working at a synagogue as a digital communications associate.

Tamir G.

As a student JELF has helped me pay for school and attend a university that I couldn’t without their help. I am truly grateful for their help and the generosity of the donors that contribute to my success!

Arielle B.

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!

Alexis S.

“Without JELF, my dream of going to law school in NYC wouldn’t be possible. Thank you for your unwavering support, JELF!”

Larisa K.

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.

Anya W.

Anya was only three when her family emigrated from the former Soviet Union. Forced to flee from the Nagorno-Karabakh War, her family was able to find sponsorship through the Greensboro Jewish Federation.

Though on food stamps for most of her childhood, her family was able to build a life in the U.S. Her grandmother nannied. Her grandfather worked odd jobs. Thanks to JELF, Anya’s mother was able to go back to school for an M.S. in public health and a Ph.D. in epidemiology.

Anya decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps. With the help of JELF, as well as her family, federal loans and work/study, she graduated from Emory University’s Anthropology and Global Health program.

Following undergrad, JELF also helped Anya pay for Wake Forest Medical School. Today, Anya is working toward her dream as a resident of Stanford’s Emergency Medicine program.

Natalie A.

JELF has helped me achieve my higher education. As a first generation college student, it’s so important for me to strive higher and create opportunities for myself that my parents didn’t receive. By obtaining my degree, I can continue on to represent immigrants in our justice system and help them get better opportunities.

Emma L.

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.

Steve W.

“JELF’s last dollars loans helped me afford my education at Emory University and the Medical College of Georgia in the 1980s. In times of crazy tuition costs, these funds can allow a student to live in acceptable housing and not be forced to work 40 hours per week, on top of pursuing a full-time degree. I am so happy to give back so our next generation can obtain the most important thing in life – an education.”