RETURNING HOME

By the way Tzion* looks today, one would never guess that he faced many struggles growing up, ones that severely threatened his chance for societal success

Tzion’s parents divorced when he was eight, and he was raised by his mother who had a debilitating chronic illness. She was not always able – physically and emotionally - to be there for him like most parents Tzion’s father moved away after the divorce and did not play a role in his life

In the eighth grade, Tzion was introduced to OU Israel’s Jack E. Gindi Oraita Youth Center, an after-school club that provides a fun, empowering, and educational setting for at-risk youth throughout Israel Tzion started coming to the Oraita club located across the street from his home, where his counselors soon became his role models, and his club members became like brothers. Throughout high school, Tzion was an active member, ingraining Jewish values, gaining self-esteem, and building meaningful relationships

“When I needed a father, I crossed the street to the Oraita club, and there I had a father,” Tzion says, describing his relationship with his counselor who accompanied him and his friends from 9th grade through graduation into their IDF enrollment and beyond “I had lots of challenges growing up, and the Oraita club served as a warm environment which helped me through my hardest of times ”

Today, Tzion has completed an engineering program, has a career in the IDF, and has a lovely wife and daughter. As Tzion defends the State of Israel in the IDF and builds his family, OFraoirtam satnayffy coounthta,cMt hakimom reBgaulelavrilsytthoe offer him support and only place they can turn for emotional encouragement Tzion also volunteers as a counselor in the club support and guidance The staff offers wh aderveic heef ogrryeowu unpg,a ddeutletrsmasinthedey toen btee rafather figure for others the army or national service, train for a *Namehapsrobfeeesnsicohnanagneddbteocroemspeecatdpurlitvsa.cy.

For many, OU Israel Youth Centers are the only place they can turn for emotional support and guidance. The staff offers advice for young adults as they enter the army or national service, train for a profession and become adults

Total Funding: $4,646,00

Total Spending: $4,516,00 oujlic.org

The 489 ongoing chavrutot with students and OU-JLIC educators learn topics that include Chumash, Navi, Gemara, and Mussar

College is a defining time for students, as they determine their career paths, clarify their priorities and values, and plan for the future.

OU-JLIC (Seif Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus) fosters an ongoing commitment to Torah study and lifestyle, providing a warm and welcoming home for Jewish students on campus. Now in its 19th year, the OU-JLIC’s network of Torah educators currently reside at 21 campuses in the United States, Canada, and Israel.

Heart to Heart Connects Students to Jewish Life

Heart to Heart (H2H) provides funding, training and inspiration for students to run Shabbat meals, intercollegiate Shabbatonim, and student-led Pesach seders on campus. H2H connects students to meaningful Jewish life and vibrant, supportive communities

1,800+ Students reached through Yavneh’s Heart to Heart Shabbat and Holiday meals

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Students trained, mentored and supported by the Yavneh Fellowship in its first year

Programs run by Yavneh Fellows on campus, including ASU’s March Mitzvah Madness and a Kosher meal plan at USC

ThispastyeartheOU,inpartnershipwithWorld Mizrachi, launched Yavneh - a student leadership initiative on campuses across North America. Yavneh strengthens college students’ religious commitment by empowering them with training, resources, and opportunities to build religious communities and Jewish life on campus Yavneh consists of a fellowship, initiatives like Heart to Heart, and a global movement nurtured by intercollegiate Shabbatonim and leadership conferences

90%

Promoting Student Leadership on Campus Summer Internships in Jer u sa lem

Of students said OU- JLIC made an impact on their Jewish growth at university

InpartnershipwithOraitaandWorldMizrachi, along with the generous support of Nefesh B’Nefesh, the OU-JLIC’s Summer in Jerusalem program offers a unique opportunity for college students to live, learn, and work in Jerusalem. Internships are set up through Career Israel, and the program provides Torah classes, a vibrant beit midrash, and social programming each evening

With the recent launch of JLIConnections, there are now more matchmaking opportunities for the Orthodox community

Matchmaking for Our Students and Alumni

Withthegrowingnumberofsinglealumnieach year, OU-JLIC partnered with several local Jewish organizations to create JLIConnections, an initiative to connect Jewish singles via a matchmaking platform. Current OU-JLIC educators, past educators, and alumni act as connectors for OU-JLIC students and alumni

Couples Lead on Campus

OU-JLICprogramsaretypicallyledbyahusbandand-wife team of educators Through their engaging, enthusiastic, and welcoming perspective, campus couples present a positive face of Judaism, Israel, and religious observance. A married couple’s partnership, and the presence of their Jewish family on campus, also model for students how a family can live a joyous Torah lifestyle