The Jewish Innovation
J-Life has run amazing subsidized educational trips to Israel and Europe for Chicago’s young professional Russian Jews the past seven years. Over 140 participants have traveled the world on J-Life trips. They have experienced some of the greatest and most meaningful Jewish places in the world. For years, J-Life relied on a core group of dedicated volunteers to make these trips and our educational opportunities a reality. Due to the success and popularity of our programming, and in order to meet the ever expanding needs of the young professional Russian Jewish community, this past year J-Life has expanded by hiring a full time “All-Star” Rabbi and a full time Woman’s Programming Coordinator. This July, J-Life will be launching another FREE Israel trip for 25 young Russian Jewish leaders, all of whom have completed the RAJE 10-week Jewish Leadership Fellowship. This year we are turning to you, Russian and non-Russian Jews of Chicago and North America to partnering with J-Life in bringing to fruition another amazing FREE Israel trip for Chicago’s 25 young professionals and another full year of totally original and enriching educational and social programming and events. These trips and educational programs will benefit all corners of Chicago’s young and vibrant Russian Jewish community.
The Impact
Through our Israel trips, alumni events, The RAJE Jewish Leadership Fellowship etc. J-Life is bringing together young Russian Jewish singles, launching new friendships, and greatly strengthening the fabric of Chicago’s young Russian Jewish community. By providing the highest quality Jewish education to young Russian Jewish professionals of all stripes and backgrounds, J-Life is able to generate lasting interest in Jewish heritage and motivate young Jews to get involved in active Jewish living. At a time when assimilation is rampant and anti-Israel activities are on the rise, Jewish knowledge, commitment and participation count more than ever. By supporting J-Life today you are investing in the future of Russian Jewish Chicago, enabling J-Life to empower hundreds of young Russian Jews to stand up to the challenges of our time and build proud beautiful Jewish families and community for the future.
What Will You Do with the Money?
The money raised is intended to help pay for this summer’s Israel trip and the upcoming year of J-Life’s innovative educational and social programming for Chicago’s young Russian Jews. For the past seven years J-Life relied on support from a select group of foundations and generous individual donors. Over the past year J-Life’s programs spread in reach and intensity, and included the addition of two very excellent Jewish adult educators. Having completed a Poland trip in February, J-Life is about to undertake one of its biggest Israel trips, which is almost FREE for its participants who completed 10 weeks of intense Jewish Leadership Fellowship. We are looking forward to an exciting year following the trip with one-on-one Torah study, group educational programs for RAJE and J-Life alumni, new RAJE Fellowships, a big Shabbaton in Fall, other great social and pro-Israel events and much much more. As J-Life grows and impacts more and more Chicago’s Russian Jewish professionals we need your help to make our plans a reality.
