Thank You for your gift to jelf, Your donation helps shape the future of Jewish students in need.

Lonnie P.

“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.”

Shelley S.

Thank 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.

Benjamin W.

Dr. 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.

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. I got cards and letters of encouragement for my attendance and grades from the staff. The letters were so encouraging, I knew I could handle any post grad work I decided to follow. It secured a promise that I made to myself during those years, I will always support JELF financially and physically to the best of my ability throughout my life!

Sydney L.

“JELF made it possible for me to attend Wesleyan University where I founded a preschool program for low-income children, worked in the Cognitive Development Lab, volunteered at a local clinic, taught a student forum on education policy, became a leader in a feminist activist group and wrote a 150-page thesis.  I graduated with high honors and accepted a position as Assistant Dean of Admission of Wesleyan.”

Danielle B.

Thank you to JELF for granting me this loan and helping me attend university at an institution I love and feel has been the best choice for me and my studies. My college years have been some of the greatest of my life and I truly would not have been able to experience any of it without this loan from JELF. It has not only allowed me to attend an amazing university for my major, learning from some of the best people in my field, but also for other majors, where I have had the chance to explore my other interests. I have also met some of the best, hard-working, and caring individuals here who push me to be my absolute best and I fully believe it is because of the type of environment we are in. I am thankful for how prepared I feel for the real world because of my time at IU. Without a loan from JELF I do not believe I would be the person that I am today.

Spencer W.

When it came to college tuition, Spencer W. knew his family would have a shortfall. His father, a management consultant, lost his job during the recession. Family medical bills had eaten significantly into savings. Spencer’s dad went looking for ways to help pay for his son’s education. Spencer was able to get a scholarship from Northwestern, as well as work/study and federal loans–but it wasn’t enough. Thankfully, JELF funded the rest.

Because of JELF, Spencer was able to be more involved in both his university and fraternity, and have time to do the important climate change research that he was passionate about. Since graduating with a double major in economics and environmental studies, Spencer decided to pursue his law degree at Harvard, and as he put it, “Honestly, I can’t thank JELF enough.”

Eli B.

My sister and I would not be where we are today without the help of the Jewish community and organizations such as JELF. I plan on donating to JELF when I am successful and financially able so that I can help students like myself who go through similar struggles and financial barriers.

Heather L.

“While doing my undergraduate work at Indiana University, I received a JELF loan. After college, I went on to obtain a Master’s degree and Educational Specialists degree in Counseling. In 2013, I received my PhD in Psychology. Currently, I am in a private psychotherapy practice with offices in Midtown Atlanta and Smyrna, Georgia. I work with adults on a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, substance abuse, relationship issues, and weight loss.

This is a picture of me and my daughter. Being a mom is my other job and also my favorite!”

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 you JELF for helping ME achieve MY goals! I couldn’t have done it without you!

Thomas S.

“My JELF loan has given me the opportunity to study education.  Knowing the Jewish community supported my education and helped me accomplish my dream of going to college has been very comforting.  Thank you for believing in me.  It is a wonderful feeling that the Jewish community was behind me and helped me accomplish my goal of becoming a future educator.”

When I was adopted in 6th grade, the Jewish community welcomed me with open arms.  With the continued support of the Jewish community and the JELF loan, I was able to choose the perfect college for me and not worry about how to pay for school.  This has helped me make a dream come true by attending college.”

Sarah B.

Anything that helped assist me through college has gotten me to where I am today – married, with kids, and in a Director position! School is stressful enough as it is and JELF has helped me with taking a load off my shoulders.