JLIC: The Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus

JLIC: The Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus OU-JLIC places Orthodox Rabbinic couples to serve as Torah educators within the Hillels on local college campuses.

JLIC's mission is to create a movement of vibrant Jewish life among emerging adults aged 18 to 30 through transformative leadership development, innovative educational programming, and meaningful engagement opportunities. The university environment is a marketplace of ideas and experiences that can pose both challenges and opportunities to an Orthodox Jew's observance and commitment. In recognitio

n that the overwhelming majority of Modern Orthodox college students are being educated at secular universities, the OU, in partnership with Hillel, administers the H***e and Harriet Seif Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus (OU-JLIC), a program that helps Orthodox students navigate the college environment, and balance their Jewish commitments with their desire to engage the secular world. In addition, OU-JLIC provides avenues for spiritual development and exploration for Jewish students from varied backgrounds; OU-JLIC presents a positive, sophisticated and welcoming face for Orthodox Judaism on campus. Now on over twenty campuses in North America, the OU-JLIC educators strive to enhance the learning opportunities available to students, and also to bolster an infrastructure for Orthodox life to flourish. The educators offer weekly Shiurim and classes, bring guest speakers and events to campus, and make key Orthodox necessities, such as Kashrut, Chagim and Shabbat, easier to observe and more meaningful. However, instead of taking only a generalized approach, OU-JLIC families strive also for a more individualized touch. Students grace their Shabbat tables as regular guests, interact with them in informal settings, such as the cafeteria, and learn with them B'Chavruta. The regular ongoing availability of the families creates a comfort level that enables students to confide in them and seek advice for their more serious issues, whether of a Halachic, personal, or intellectual nature. Educators are considered full members of the Hillel staff, and they interact with a large number of students both Orthodox and non-Orthodox. Hillels are often thankful for the presence of OU-JLIC, not in the least because it enables them to better serve the Orthodox populations on campus, but also because it bolsters their ability to offer educational/spiritual services to all of the Jewish students. While the primary impetus of JLIC has been to serve the Orthodox, rather than Kiruv in a classic sense, we have found that the educators have had a substantive and positive impact on a broader population as well.

06/11/2026

Discover the vibrant JLIC community at Jerusalem College of Technology, fostering faith, friendship, and tradition.

Plato says the truth is outside the cave. Chazal flip it entirely. 🕍On the Torat JLIC Podcast, Rav Don Cantor and Rav Al...
06/10/2026

Plato says the truth is outside the cave. Chazal flip it entirely. 🕍

On the Torat JLIC Podcast, Rav Don Cantor and Rav Alex Ozar dig into Shimon bar Yochai's twelve years in a cave, what happened when he came out, and what that story has to do with JLIC's founding mission.

A man running on Erev Shabbos with two myrtle branches. The inversion of Plato's allegory. What it means to carry the cave with you into real life. It's all here.

It's also Don's send-off to Alex, leaving Yale after eight years. Come for the Torah, stay for the farewell. 🎙️

Listen here:

Plato says the truth is outside the cave. Chazal disagree. That inversion is the starting point for this episode, and it turns out to explain a lot about what JLIC is actually for. The story is Shimon bar Yochai. Twelve years in the cave, nothing but Torah. He emerges and starts burning things down....

☀️ Ever wonder what it's really like to be an international student at Tel Aviv University, juggling demanding classes w...
06/09/2026

☀️ Ever wonder what it's really like to be an international student at Tel Aviv University, juggling demanding classes with a thriving Jewish life? 🇮🇱📚

Meet Tyla! We're so excited to share a glimpse into her inspiring day. From starting her morning with ballet 🩰 to diving into fascinating courses like History of the Middle East and Business & Law, Tyla’s academic journey at TAU is packed!

But it's not all textbooks and lectures. She also finds deep spiritual connection in a Tanach Shiur with JLIC’s Rav Eitan Phillips, enjoys meaningful conversations with friends on the sunny campus lawn 🌳, and winds down with fun JLIC social events (sushi, anyone? 🍣).

This is what it looks like to balance learning, growth, and community!
Watch the full video in our latest blog post to see Tyla's day unfold and discover how JLIC at Tel Aviv University is helping students thrive – academically, spiritually, and socially. ✨

🔗 Click here to watch & read:
https://collegeinisrael.org/stories/day-in-the-life-tyla/?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

Ever wondered what it’s like to be an international student at Tel Aviv University, balancing rigorous academics with a rich Jewish life? Join Tyla, a bright and passionate TAU student, as she gives us a glimpse into her day—a beautiful blend of learning, growth, and community. Tyla begins her m...

06/07/2026

Learn how David & Shanna Kashani guide Persian Jews through modern dating dilemmas, blending tradition with practical advice.

06/05/2026

🌟 Meet the incredible JLIC community at Ben-Gurion University in Be'er Sheva - a group that's grown from 20 to 150+ students in less than a year!🌟

It is inspiring to hear students share their stories about finding community, maintaining their Jewish identity, and falling in love with Be'er Sheva.

Whether you're a student, parent, or just someone who loves hearing about communities that lift each other up, this video is worth your time.

The warmth and genuine connection these students have found is exactly what JLIC is all about. 💙
https://www.youtube.com/watch?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com&v=8rt5nA-fiQA

🤖📚 Can artificial intelligence have a soul?That's the kind of question that packed the room at JLIC West's recent serie...
06/04/2026

🤖📚 Can artificial intelligence have a soul?

That's the kind of question that packed the room at JLIC West's recent series on "AI and Judaism." Young Jewish professionals—doctors, lawyers, tech workers—came together to tackle challenges no previous generation has faced.

From smart homes on Shabbat to AI making medical decisions, these aren't just theoretical debates. They're real dilemmas affecting how we live and work today.

What happens when ancient wisdom meets cutting-edge technology? The conversations were as thought-provoking as you'd expect.

Read about how one community is thoughtfully navigating the intersection of faith and technology:

https://oujlic.org/artificial-intelligence-and-judaism/?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

How does AI fit into Jewish life? JLIC's lecture series tackles practical and spiritual implications. Read all about this new series.

06/03/2026

Episode Summary:In this episode of the Torah at JLIC podcast, we speak with Rabbi Elie Beuchler, director of JLIC at Columbia University and Barnard College, about his experiences leading the Jewish community on campus during a tumultuous year. Rabbi Elie Beuchler shares insights on Jewish preparati...

06/02/2026

📚➡️💻 From homeschooled in Baltimore to startup founder in Jerusalem!

Meet Eliyahu Masinter, who planned to spend just one semester at JCT-Lev's International Program before returning to the US. A missed application deadline turned into a life-changing journey that led him to create ScheduLearn, a startup solving school scheduling nightmares!

"Come to Israel because it's the future. It's a life-affirming country where you feel the future being built in real time."

Read his inspiring story and discover why studying in Israel might be the best decision you never planned to make! 👇

https://collegeinisrael.org/stories/student-spotlight-eliyahu-masinter/?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

05/31/2026

West Coast Jewish students join together for a Shabbat of Unity amidst campus antisemitism. 120+ students unite to celebrate Jewish identity.

For the third year, we hosted the Women's Health & Halacha Panel. This year, we had to close registration before we fini...
05/29/2026

For the third year, we hosted the Women's Health & Halacha Panel. This year, we had to close registration before we finished promoting it.

Women came from across Israel. The panel featured an OBGYN, a s*x therapist, a pelvic floor therapist, and a yoetzet halacha — Orthodox women who brought both expertise and honesty to topics that rarely get discussed openly in our communities.

Women stayed long after it ended. Many asked when the next one would be.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/wV2-5P0imBc?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

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