Building Jewish Life at Tel Aviv University
Something extraordinary is happening at Tel Aviv University. What started as a vision to strengthen Jewish religious life on campus has blossomed into a thriving community of over 100 students who gather weekly to learn, celebrate, and grow together.
Led by Rabbi Eitan and Elana Phillips, the M.D. Katz JLIC program represents hope, resilience, and the enduring power of Jewish community—especially during these challenging times.
Where Learning Comes Alive
Our programs don't just happen—they transform lives:
Weekly Lunch and Learns bring together students hungry for both knowledge and connection, creating spaces where ancient wisdom meets modern questions.
Shabbat Meals and Kiddush on Campus turn the university into a home away from home, where the beauty of Shabbat illuminates even the most secular academic environment.
Our Debate Series challenges minds and deepens understanding, proving that Jewish learning thrives on questions, not just answers.
Dine with the Professor events break down walls between academia and Jewish life, showing that scholarship and spirituality can walk hand in hand.
Volunteering at the local old age home- brings together students to spend time, speak, sometimes bake, play music with the elderly's in the old age home right behind the dorms.
A Community That's Growing Against All Odds
Our community of 100 members continues to expand, with new students discovering the joy and meaning that comes from connecting with their heritage alongside their studies.
Each new member represents a victory—a young person choosing to embrace their Jewish identity, to ask deeper questions, to build lasting friendships, and to carry forward traditions that connect them to generations past and future.
Your Impact Makes This Possible
Behind every Shabbat meal, every learning session, every moment of connection, stands a community of supporters who believe in the power of Jewish education and community building. Your contribution doesn't just fund programs—it creates sanctuaries of meaning in the lives of students navigating university, military service, and the complexities of modern Israeli life.
When you support JLIC at Tel Aviv University, you're investing in:
- A generation of Jewish leaders who will shape Israel's future
- Programs that prove Jewish life can flourish in any environment
- Students who discover that their Jewish identity enhances rather than competes with their academic pursuits
Join Us in Building Something Beautiful
Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us expand our reach and deepen our impact. Help us ensure that Rabbi Eitan and Elana can continue their vital work, that our programs can grow to meet increasing demand, and that no student at Tel Aviv University has to navigate their Jewish journey alone.
Together, we're not just building a program—we're nurturing souls, strengthening community, and ensuring that Jewish life continues to flourish in the heart of the Jewish homeland.