A Day in the Life at Reichman University with JLIC
Join Reichman University student Noah Chesir as he takes us through a day in his life and shows how the JLIC community enriches his college experience in Israel. The day begins with a refreshing run through Park Herzliya, followed by Shacharit at the JLIC minyan—a space for both spiritual connection and checking in with friends […]
From Homeschool to Startup: Eliyahu’s Unlikely Path to College in Israel
When Eliyahu Masinter first thought about college, Israel wasn’t even on his radar. Growing up in Baltimore, his educational journey was anything but typical: he was homeschooled until middle school, attended a Jewish day school for two years, returned to homeschooling, and ultimately completed high school in just two years by combining community college courses […]
Digging into Israel’s Past and Teaching for the Future: Meira’s Journey at Hebrew U
For Meira Shapiro, the path to studying at Hebrew University was more than just an academic decision—it was a fulfillment of a lifelong dream. Raised in Bergenfield, New Jersey, Meira grew up in a home where aliyah was always on the horizon, even if it hadn’t yet happened for her parents. By high school, she […]
From Intelligence to Innovation: Ariel’s Path Through the IDF, Academia, and JLIC at Ben-Gurion
A Unique Path to Higher Education Ariel grew up in Teaneck and attended TABC before spending two years learning at Yeshivat Har Etzion (Gush). From there, he was drafted into the IDF, serving for three years in the Intelligence Directorate. After his service, he spent another year learning at an Israeli Hesder yeshiva, Yeshivat Otniel, […]
Healing and Homecoming: Elianna Kupferman’s Path to Studying Nursing in Israel
A Dream Delayed, but Not Forgotten Elianna Kupferman’s journey to Israel was not a direct one. During her gap year at TVA, she envisioned moving to Israel, but the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic made the timing difficult. Instead, she returned to the U.S. and enrolled in NYU’s Rory Meyers School of Nursing, as she […]
From New York to Ariel University: Tehila Jansenson’s Journey to Studying Creative Marketing
Growing up in New York, Tehila Jansenson always felt a deep connection to Israel. Her mother, a native Israeli, and her father, an Argentinian who made aliyah, met in Israel before traveling to serve the Jewish people and teach in Israel, Spain, and ultimately settling in New York. Israel was a constant presence in Tehila’s […]
Beyond the Gap Year: Sammy Garfinkel’s Journey into Israeli Life
For as long as he can remember, Israel has been a significant part of Sammy’s life. “Growing up in a Modern Orthodox, Religious Zionist community in London, my connection to Israel was instilled in me from a young age. I attended a religious high school, participated in the local Bnei Akiva youth movement and spent […]
Embracing the Dream: Kayla Goldberger’s Path to Aliyah and Success
A Dream Realized Kayla Goldberger is a third-year student studying Business Management and Middle Eastern Studies at Tel Aviv University (TAU). Originally from Teaneck, NJ, Kayla attended Yeshivat Frisch and then participated in a gap-year program at MTVA. She currently resides in Herzliya. “I always knew I wanted to make aliyah. Growing up in a […]
Discovering Home: Jordan Landes’ Journey from Seattle to Israel
Discovering Home: Jordan Landes’ Journey from Seattle to Israel Born in Seattle, Washington, and later raised in Boca Raton, Florida, Jordan’s early years were rooted in a strong Zionist ethos, rooted in his family’s history and strengthened at home and in school. His great-great-grandfather, Rav Zvi Pesach Frank, served as the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem, […]
Finding Home in the Desert: Rachel Shapin’s Journey to Studying Medicine at BGU
For Rachel Shapin, a third-year student at Ben-Gurion University’s Medical School for International Health, the journey to becoming a doctor in Israel wasn’t something she had initially planned. But looking back, she wouldn’t have it any other way. From Michigan to Beer Sheva Rachel grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and completed her undergraduate degree […]
