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Megan W.
Megan W.
University of West Georgia“JELF helped take away financial burdens while I attended the University of West Georgia pursuing my marketing degree. I was able to enjoy college life while interning with two non-profits which led to employment at graduation and then became building blocks for the consulting role I am now in.” I grew up in Lawrenceville, GA and am the youngest of four siblings. I have always had a passion for pushing myself outside of my comfort zone. As a child, I was always active, pushing myself to become a cheerleader, basketball player, Girl Scout, a chorus member (even though I cannot sing to save my life), and other school and community groups. As an adult, I still continue to push myself and now have a passion for traveling, experiencing cultures, and being around people. Of my siblings, I was the first to attend college and took on the financial responsibility, so that is something I am really proud of. I was a JELF recipient through my four years of undergrad. In 2011, during my junior year of college, I was also the recipient of an interest-free loan from JELF. JELF has been a huge contributor to my success in school and after. As many young college graduates learn, student loans are not exactly fun and having a high interest rate is even less fun. Currently, I am involved in several different aspects in the Jewish community. I went on Birthright shortly after graduating college and then began playing with social sports at the JCC. I then began to get involved in the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and helped plan and coordinate a reverse mifgash and other events. I also co-chaired the Birthright Alumni involvement at the Federation, staff Birthright trips, and played sports at the JCC, in addition to attending different social events throughout the community. Shortly after college, I began my career in marketing and consulting at the Scheduling Institute in Alpharetta, GA. Having received my degree in marketing and sales, I am fortunate to have found a company that lets me use my creative and strategic talents. My advice to any young professional, or really any professional, is to find a career that will help you develop both personally as well as professionally. It truly makes a huge difference. I am now enjoying getting involved with entrepreneur friends and helping them with social media, word of mouth, or other outlets. In 2012 and again in 2017, I had the opportunity to share my story at large JELF events and I was so glad to be there so that I could represent the importance of JELF and the difference it can make. Having these interest-free loans for school made such a difference for me, and also truly affected the years after college and my ability to succeed. Thanks, JELF!
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Jane S.
Jane S.
Georgia State UniversityB.S. Risk ManagementJELF 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 and so many others!
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Rachel D.
Rachel D.
University of Central Florida“Thanks to JELF, I am attending the University of Central Florida (UCF) and taking my General Education classes toward my goal of attending medical school in the future. I am enjoying my studies as well as my sorority. Thanks, JELF, for helping me achieve these goals!”
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Marnie S.
Marnie S.
Indiana UniversitySports JournalismJELF has allowed me to attend an out of state college that best fits my need for my major. I am to get a hands on education and attend a school that allows me to experience sports journalism. I hope to return to Atlanta one day and report for our state’s teams!
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Lianne M.
Lianne M.
University of Southern CaliforniaB.S.When I was younger my parents gave me a reality check by telling me that my only college option was community college. Nonetheless, after 4 years of hard work, 20 college applications, and the generosity of JELF I was able to accept a spot at USC. It took a lot of convincing, but with the support of JELF my parents confidently let me go pursue my dreams in LA , where I was involved in Jewish Heritage Program, Jewish Greek Leadership and made the Dean’s List at USC!
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Andrew S.
Andrew S.
Johns Hopkins UniversityB.S., Neuroscience and General BiologyThank you so much JELF for helping to fund my education!!
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Benjamin W.
Benjamin W.
Boston UniversityDr. Benjamin Warsaw is a classical pianist, composer, teacher, and accompanist, and has performed numerous solo and ensemble concerts throughout North America. Concert highlights include, Schwartz Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA; Yamaha Hall and Haydn Birthplace, Vienna, Austria; O’Shaughnessy Theatre, Minneapolis, MN; JFK Birthplace, Boston, MA; and performed original compositions for President Carter during a live broadcast at the Carter Center.
Benjamin has studied and performed solo and chamber music and original compositions in summer festivals and masterclasses such as, Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Wiener Masterclasses, Banff Center Piano Master Classes, Chautauqua Institution, Brandywine International Piano Festival, International Keyboard Festival at Mannes, Rebecca Penneys Piano Festival, and Blue Lake Fine Arts, where his original compositions were featured on NPR.
A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Benjamin holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Eastman School of Music where he studied with Rebecca Penneys. He completed his Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance at Boston University under the tutelage of the late Anthony di Bonaventura. He is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, Music Teachers National Association, and the Savannah Music Teachers Association. Benjamin is Assistant Professor at Armstrong State University, Savannah, GA. There he teaches piano and theory and is Artistic Director of Piano in the Arts. In 2015 Benjamin released his debut album, Warsaw plays Warsaw, featuring a set of 24 Preludes of original music for piano.
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Brittany F.
Brittany F.
Vanderbilt UniversityPolitical Science and American StudiesNot 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 Birthright Trip with my classmates. And it was at Vanderbilt where I met my husband Andrew – who has truly made my dreams come true. I am incredibly grateful and committed to giving back to this fantastic fund that has brought so many blessings into my life.
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Sara S.
Sara S.
University of South CarolinaR.N. -
Allison F.
Allison F.
University of North CarolinaBachelor of PsychologyWithout JELF I would have no way to pay the remainder of my tuition after scholarships and grants. With the help of JELF, I am able to earn my bachelor’s degree so that I can pursue my career goals of becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist. I am so thankful for every person who has donated to JELF so that other students who are just like me are able to achieve their goals.
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Lonnie P.
Lonnie P.
Virginia WeslyanBA in Social Science“The JELF organization helped my family afford college for both me and my brother. JELF provided an invaluable service to us. Going to college was made more affordable, and the repayment of the loans was easy to manage once we graduated from school. JELF was introduced to us at a very important time in our lives, and it has contributed to our success.”
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Shelley S.
Shelley S.
UNC GreensboroB.A., Media StudiesThank you so much for your support during the past four years of my education! To have additional support from this community was extremely impactful during my time in school. The fact that my class had to face a pandemic while trying to complete our education was incredibly difficult. However, with JELF’s help, I did not have to worry about my finances while facing the altered learning situation the pandemic caused. I am happy to announce that I graduated Summa Cum Laude this past May. It would not of happened without JELF’s support. I thank you all so much, from the bottom of my heart. Being apart of the Jewish community is something that I hold very close to my heart. It is wonderful to be able to celebrate with this wonderful community as I continue my journey into my career.
Over time JELF has provided over $$2,158,564 in interest free loans to 7,119 Jewish students in our five-state region.
JELF students come from single parent families, immigrant families, families afflicted with illness, job-related issues and special needs. The list goes on! Our interest-free loans provide relief by helping Jewish students who have demonstrated need.