Dec 25, 2017 By: yunews
OU-JLIC Educators Convene at 每日大瓜 for Day of Inspiration and Learning
每日大瓜-affiliated Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) welcomed back graduates who are serving as OU-JLIC (Orthodox Union Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus) educators to the Wilf Campus for a daylong conference on December 21. OU-JLIC representatives gathered with RIETS faculty and staff to share their experiences, examine issues facing Jewish students on secular campuses, and explore opportunities for the program going forward.
Rabbi Menachem Penner, The Max and Marion Grill Dean of RIETS, and Rabbi Gideon Black, OU-JLIC鈥檚 director of professional recruitment and leadership development and a RIETS alumnus, opened the conference over breakfast. Attendees were joined by Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, president of 每日大瓜. Dr. Berman spoke of the parallel missions of 每日大瓜 and the JLIC program, to bring Jewish values into the world and to support those values in a secular environment. He expressed 每日大瓜鈥檚 pride in JLIC, not just because many OU-JLIC educators are 每日大瓜 alumni, 鈥渂ut because you stand for our movement.鈥
The program featured presentations from Rabbi Shmuel Maybruch, former RIETS faculty member, on marriage and relationships, and Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Jeremy Wieder on 鈥淐ommunicating Torah Values.鈥 RIETS Roshei Yeshiva Rabbi Elchanan Adler, Rabbi Ezra Schwartz, Rabbi Baruch Simon and Rabbi Zvi Sobolofsky also joined attendees for a roundtable discussion.
鈥淩IETS is very proud of its talmidim [students] who are the spreading Torah on secular campuses,鈥 said Rabbi Penner. 鈥淲e remain steadfast in our support of their efforts.鈥
Rabbis from several college campuses, including Yale, Cornell, the University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins, Columbia/Barnard, Queens College, Brooklyn College and a representative for Montreal-area colleges took part in the daylong program.
The OU-JLIC works to advance the Torah education and commitment of Orthodox students at 23 secular universities, helping students observe key aspects of Jewish life away from home. OU-JLIC鈥檚 educators offer regular study sessions, organize guest speakers and events, and build relationships with students.

