In Tel Aviv’s fast-paced whirlwind of startups, rooftop bars, and endless possibilities, JLIC Tel Aviv has carved out something remarkable: a Jewish community that blends ancient wisdom and modern relevance.
Rabbi Joe Wolfson and Corinne Shmuel lead this powerhouse community that transforms how young Jewish professionals experience both Torah and Tel Aviv life. Since 2019, the Wolfsons have built a magnetic hub where Jewish learning doesn’t just happen in study halls—it spills into trendy cafes, co-working spaces, and beachside conversations that stretch late into the night.
Members gather on Monday Night for Rav Joe’s Think Shiur, a crowd favorite that combines a lite dinner with mind-bending discussions about the parsha that leave everyone talking for days. Tuesdays bring the community together at Vine Ventures for lunch and learn sessions that tackle contemporary issues through a Torah lens, sparking debates that continue long after the meal ends. Women’s Rosh Chodesh events create intimate spaces for meaningful connection and reflection, while dedicated women’s shiurim foster deep discussions on topics that matter most to the community’s female members.
But JLIC Tel Aviv pushes far beyond traditional programming. Members dive headfirst into the city they call home—partnering with local homeless shelters, organizing food bank drives, and providing unwavering support to IDF units including lone soldiers who need it most. This community operates with a simple but powerful principle: always ask if the basics have been met first. They never seek the spotlight, preferring quiet action over loud announcements. These are people who walk the walk and talk the talk, proving that Jewish community thrives when it engages meaningfully with the broader Tel Aviv ecosystem.
Shabbat at the 126 shul serves as the community’s beating heart, where members from dozens of countries create an electric atmosphere of prayer and connection. The magic continues with Community Seudah Shlishit gatherings on Hilton Hill near the beach, where the Mediterranean breeze carries voices singing zmiros as the sun sets over the city skyline.
Whether someone arrives still figuring out the bus system, a seasoned professional ready for deeper connections, or a longtime Israel resident seeking renewed purpose, JLIC Tel Aviv delivers the perfect launchpad for growth, questioning, and meaningful contribution.
Welcome to JLIC Tel Aviv—where ancient tradition meets startup energy, and every member becomes part of something bigger than themselves.
Rabbi Joe and Corinne both grew up in the UK and lived in Israel for many years. Between them they studied Torah at Har Etzion, Bet Morasha, Nishmat and Matan and have degrees in political philosophy from Cambridge and UCL (Rabbi Joe) and in art history from Leeds University and the Courtauld Institute (Corinne).
While Rabbi Joe was in the Kollel of Yeshivat Har Etzion studying for semicha from the Israeli Chief Rabbinate, Corinne qualified as a professional chef and spent several years working in Israeli restaurants. In 2015 they moved to Manhattan to serve as the directors of JLIC Downtown at the Bronfman Center of NYU where they were privileged to lead a warm, vibrant and outward facing community. They enjoyed it so much that they stayed for seven years. The community became known for projects such as the Gangsters & Gedoilim tours of downtown Manhattan, the Jewish Eats culinary-social experience, the 929 daily Tanakh program and the Killing Covid With Kindness volunteer projects (for which Rabbi Joe was recognized as one of the Jewish Week’s 36 Under 36). In 2022 they returned to Israel with their children Mika, Tal and Barak where they have the privilege of leading JLIC’s first young professional community in Tel Aviv.
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