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Shaayna E.

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 is now married and in looking for ways to give back, she has reconnected with JELF. She has also started mentoring younger female associates at her firm. “Thank goodness for JELF,” she said, “It’s such a great program.”

Aaron M.

When I was getting ready to start dental school back in 2015, JELF helped cover some living expenses/tuition which eased a lot of the anxiety I had about starting this new chapter of life in a new city. I graduated from dental school in 2019 and completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) in Atlanta the following year. My wife and I (married in March 2020) currently live in Hoschton, GA and I work as an Associate Dentist at an office in Jefferson, GA.

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.

Joseph L.

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, which is what I 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 worried me. JELF has helped turn my dream of studying Industrial Engineering at Georgia Tech into reality!

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 went to school at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA.  During school, she majored in psychology, participated in a Greek society on campus and volunteered 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. 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 college at the same time, finances were especially strained. To help make up the difference, Arielle worked full-time as an ocean rescue lifeguard for several summers, where she was responsible for saving 2 people from drowning!

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.

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…and looks forward to seeing where they go next!

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.

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, who was also a recipient, 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 a board-certified emergency medicine physician.

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.