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

Megan W.

“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, as 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. 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. I am now 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 got involved in the Jewish Federation and co-chaired the Birthright Alumni involvement at the Federation, staffed Birthright trips, and played sports at the JCC, in addition to attending social events throughout the community. Shortly after college, I began my career in marketing and consulting. My advice to any young 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 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!

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 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.

Rachel D.

“Thanks to JELF, I was able to attend the University of Central Florida (UCF) and taking my General Education classes toward my goal of attending medical school in the future.  I enjoyed my studies as well as my sorority.  Thanks, JELF, for helping me achieve these goals and getting me to where I am today!”

Allison F.

Without 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.

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.