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.
Tag: JELFie
Rebekah P.
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 […]
Amanda L.
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 […]
Evaline D.
Even 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. […]
Brittany F.
Not 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 […]
Jane S.
JELF taught me early on about value on resourcefulness in pursuing your dreams. I had merit scholarships, but they were not enough to cover my tuition and books. JELF’s loan supplemented my scholarship funds and gave me the peace of mind to focus on my studies without worrying about finances. Thank you, JELF, for supporting me […]
Ben S.
I was largely independent in school, relying on student aid and loans to pay for my tuition and living expenses. Chabad singlehandedly fed me week to week. I learned about JELF at a low-point where I was facing severe financial trouble. Without JELF I would not have been able to continue my degree and my […]
Samara R.
While I applied to college not knowing what I would major in, I did know two things — I wanted to go to Virginia Tech, and that I would be paying for it myself. A JELF loan was one of the ways I was able to do this — bridging the gap in my own […]
Jenna O.
Chiropractic school is insanely expensive, however, it’s the career where I know I’m going to love what I do and to be able to help so many people. JELF is helping me pay my way through school and reduce my debt on the back end. I am so grateful for this organization!
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 […]
Brian Meltsner: My JELF Story (10/29/21)
Brian Meltsner and Harold Berger first met in August 1982 during orientation week for freshman at UNC Chapel Hill. Hear how this connection not only blossomed into a longtime friendship but also years of ongoing support and commitment to JELF. . Brian Meltsner left and Harold Berger right, UNC Graduation Day, circa May 1986 From […]
JELF’s “STAND BY ME” – Musical JELFies Give Thanks 2021! – 6-2-21
In 2021 JELF recipients (current and past) from all over the country gave their thanks to JELF to the tune of Stand By Me!
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, […]
JELF Provides Interest-Free Loans to More Students Than Ever Before (12/24/20)
Interest-Free Loans Take Some of the Stress Away from Students Trying to Earn a Degree BY RACHEL LEVY DECEMBER 24, 2020 Eliana Colman, JELF recipient According to EducationData.org, a website that collects and organizes data about the United States education system, more than 44 million Americans had student loans in 2019. A deeper dive into this […]
David S.
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 […]