Are you interested in learning more about Orthodox Jewish life on campus? Do you have children in high school who will soon begin the rigorous college application process? Have they already decided where they want to attend college but are interested to learn more about the realities of a secular campus?
The Orthodox Union’s Seif Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus (OU-JLIC) will present a community weekend in Woodmere and Lawrence, Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6, Shabbat Parshat Beha’alotcha. OU-JLIC rabbis and staff will speak at various synagogues in the area, including the Young Israel of Woodmere, Congregation Aish Kodesh, and Congregation Bais Tefillah in Woodmere, and Congregation Beth Sholom in Lawrence.
In coordination with Hillel on 22 university campuses, OU-JLIC Torah Educator couples provide an atmosphere for intensive study of Jewish texts, Sabbath and holiday observance, daily synagogue services, as well as mentoring and good companionship. OU-JLIC is dedicated to the enhancement of Orthodox communities (kehilot) on campus by promoting positive growth and identity among Jewish students, therefore serving as one of the incubators of the future of Orthodoxy.
OU-JLIC Torah Educators at Brandeis Rabbi David and Ariel Pardo.Scholars-in-residence include: Rabbi Menachem Schrader, OU-JLIC Founding Director; Rabbi David and Ariel Pardo, OU-JLIC Torah Educators at Brandeis; Rabbi Robby and Shoshana Charnoff, OU-JLIC Torah Educators at Queens College; Rabbi Reuven and Shira Boshnack, OU-JLIC Torah Educators at Brooklyn College; and Rabbi Shlomo and Chana Zuckier, OU-JLIC Torah Educators at Yale.
Friday evening Rabbi Charnoff will deliver a sermon during the Kabbalat Shabbat service at Congregation Bais Tefillah, 409 Edward Avenue, Woodmere. Shabbat morning at the synagogue Rabbi Pardo will speak prior to the Mussaf service.
At the Young Israel of Woodmere, OU-JLIC Torah Educators will be featured speakers at various minyanim. At 6:15 p.m. at the synagogue, located at 859 Peninsula Boulevard, OU-JLIC women Torah Educators will share their thoughts on the parsha.
Later in the evening there will be two panel discussions on “The Orthodox Jew and the Secular University Campus: Opportunities and Challenges.” The presentations will take place at the following times and locations:
- 6:50 p.m. at the Young Israel of Woodmere, with Rabbi Schrader, the Pardos and the Charnoffs. Rabbi Schrader will speak after mincha.
- 8:00 p.m. at Congregation Beth Sholom, 390 Broadway, Lawrence, with the Zuckiers.
Following the Mincha service at 7:50 p.m. at Congregation Aish Kodesh, located at 894 Woodmere Place, Rabbi Boshnack will culminate the weekend with a d’var Torah during seudat shlishit.
To learn more about the community weekend contact Hani Lowenstein, OU-JLIC Student Leadership and Educational Resources Associate, at hlowenstein1@gmail.com.