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Student Perspectives on JLIC

"As an orthodox Jew living in the dorms, the orthodox life at Hillel has become central to my life at UCLA. This year, the first day of school happened to fall on the first day of Sukkot. For me, the question was not whether to go to classes or not, but where to spend the holiday? Fortunately, the Hillel was open and conducting services for the entire 49-hour period compete with a blue and gold Sukkah. There I got to meet and know Rabbi Aryeh and Sharona Kaplan, the able leaders of Hillel at UCLA's Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus, or JLIC. On the second floor of Hillel in the Beit Midrash, or Jewish study hall, I can attend Minyan every morning and every afternoon. Our Sabbath program runs all through Saturday and it's so successful that students who don't even live on campus spend their Shabbat at Hillel. My closest friends are the people I've met through JLIC programs, morning Minyan and Shabbat dinner. The Orthodox community at Hillel means a lot to me; I really don't know how I'd fit into UCLA life without it."
          -David Bardo

"In the culturally diverse secular universities of America, JLIC provides an essential outlet to observe Torah, preserve Jewish identity and improve the world."
          -Yoni Herskovitz

"The staff, especially Rabbi Aryeh, are the go-to people if you want to feel Jewishly enriched, regardless of your affiliation. Just wonderful, warm, caring, empathic people."
          -Boris Prager

"JLIC makes it easy to be an Orthodox practicing Jew on campus - -whether you need Kosher food, a place to go for Shabbos or you're just looking to learn and work on your relationship with God - JLIC delivers."
          -Natalie Mashian

"JLIC was the highlight of my UCLA experience. I found friends, intelligent conversation and a new outlook on religion and life that I will carry with me wherever I go."
          -Daniel Nomanim