New OU-JLIC Directors Bring Fresh Energy To Seven Leading Universities

JLIC NYU co-directors Elayanna and Rabbi Zechariah Rosenthal

Rabbi AJ and Yakira Baumol didn’t set out to work full-time in Jewish education. While both of their fathers work at Israeli institutions of higher learning for gap-year students—AJ’s dad is a rabbi at Midreshet Torah v’Avodah (MTVA), and Yakira’s father is a rabbi at Yeshivat Reishit Yerushalayim, while her mother is a yoetzet halacha—the couple, now living in Ithaca, New York, was on an entirely different career trajectory.

After college, Yakira worked as a corporate lawyer and AJ at an Israeli tech startup while raising their daughter, Amiya, now 20 months old. For four years, they lived on the MTVA campus in Jerusalem, where they regularly hosted seminary students and where Yakira led a nightly Gemara class.

Then October 7 hit, and their priorities shifted.

“After October 7, we felt that we should take opportunities to engage in things that we find meaningful in a more active and serious way,” says AJ, who was raised in Efrat. “Growing up, we greatly appreciated our parents’ involvement in Jewish education and realized that we want to emulate these values for our family. October 7 reframed and inspired us to prioritize certain values over others and to give a more central role to limud Torah, Jewish community, and continuity.”

Their opportunity came in the form of a co-director position at Cornell University’s JLIC. A division of the Orthodox Union, JLIC’s mission is to create a movement of vibrant Jewish life among emerging adults aged 18 to 30 through transformative leadership development, innovative educational programming, and meaningful engagement opportunities. JLIC empowers the next generation of leaders who will inspire and strengthen the Jewish community worldwide.

Since its launch in 2000 by Rabbi Menachem Schrader, JLIC now serves over 8,000 Jewish students across 35 campuses and communities in the U.S., Canada, and Israel every year. Within the vast college campus environment, JLIC fosters Jewish student development by providing mentorship, religious support, and leadership platforms, alongside avenues for volunteering, communal engagement, and personal growth. These include engaging Torah study, halachic and spiritual guidance from the JLIC campus directors, innovative educational programming, Shabbat and holiday meals and celebrations, daily minyanim, regular social events like shabbatons and Friday night onegs, sports, Israel-themed and advocacy-based activities, and visits from renowned speakers.

Beginning this fall, the Baumols are among seven couples taking on new JLIC positions at flourishing campus programs. Their fellow incoming directors include Rabbi Zechariah and Elyanna Rosenthal at NYU, Rabbi Daniel and Jasmine Peled-Schwartz at Columbia/Barnard, Rabbi Matthew and Yael Nitzanim at Rutgers, Rabbi Ari and Noa Bar-Shain at Princeton, Rabbi Joel and Jenny Finkelstein at Brandeis, and Rabbi Ariel and Maayan Lavi at the University of Chicago.

JLIC Chief Operating Officer Tal Attia says the recruitment process for campus directors is highly intentional. “We spend months getting to know each candidate,” she says. “We’re not just filling a position; we’re finding the right people to become part of these students’ extended families. Having served as a campus co-director myself, I know firsthand how crucial that personal connection is. We look for directors who can create a home away from home for students, and we match personalities, campus cultures, and community needs. We take our time getting it right.”

Coming from Israeli universities, where campus culture is markedly different, the Baumols were pleasantly surprised when they first visited Cornell’s JLIC, which draws about 100 students and young professionals to its programs and events.

“We didn’t know what to expect,” says AJ. “We had never been to an American college campus before. We were really touched by the students’ hospitality, warmth, and genuine interest in sharing their thoughts and getting to know us. There was something truly authentic and meaningful about our interactions, and we were incredibly moved by the community.”

JLIC Executive Director Rabbi Josh Ross is enthusiastic about the new directors, whom he sees as passionate educators and community builders who will shape the next generation of Jewish leaders. “Our new directors aren’t just joining programs,” he says. “They’re stepping into vibrant Jewish communities that have been carefully cultivated over years. What’s beautiful is watching them honor that legacy while bringing their own creativity and passion to the table.”

Recognizing Cornell’s long-standing JLIC history, the Baumols plan to respect and build upon its existing foundation. “JLIC Cornell has been around for years and has developed its own way of doing things that work beautifully,” says Yakira. “So before we implement any changes, we want to understand the community, the students, and their needs. We hope to cultivate relationships built on substance and depth; relationships that will definitely enhance our lives, and hopefully, the students’ lives as well.”

Like the Baumols, Rabbi Zechariah and Elyanna Rosenthal were drawn to the JLIC co-director roles at NYU as a means to bring greater purpose and fulfillment into their lives.

“I began my career in corporate America and at some non-profits,” says Elyanna, who grew up in Passaic, New Jersey. “A couple years in, I realized I was looking for something more.”

For the past two years, the Rosenthals lived in Jerusalem, where Zechariah earned semicha at the Caroline and Joseph S. Gruss Institute kollel, and Elyanna taught Jewish Philosophy and Family Life at Chorev High School, among other academic pursuits.

“I found teaching so fulfilling,” Elyanna reflects. “It meant so much to be able to support people on the cusp of adulthood who are exploring religious, social, and emotional questions about their futures. OU-JLIC is the perfect fit for me because it allows me to continue on this same path of purpose and connection.”

Born in Plainview, New York, Zechariah views the JLIC co-director position as a continuation of his family’s legacy. “Both my grandfather and father made Jewish education their life’s mission,” he says. “I’ve always been inspired by their model of dedication—working as school principals, teaching, engaging in outreach, and learning with me every day when I was growing up. The role of JLIC co-director is an amazing opportunity to give back and continue that tradition.”

In 2023, in preparation for their new roles, the Rosenthals participated in the JLIC Fellowship for Campus Professionals, a year-long training program for couples interested in working with North American college students.

“The fellowship was a great way to get a window into campus life,” says Zechariah. “We even got to ‘sub in’ for a Shabbos on campus while an JLIC director was called up to reserve duty, and we experienced the initiative’s amazing impact in person. The fellowship helped solidify our interest and confidence that this was the right opportunity for us.”

The Rosenthals look forward to building relationships within the NYU JLIC community where over 250 students and young professionals actively participate in JLIC programming.

Zechariah and Elyanna are excited to host students for Shabbat meals and events and to explore all that New York City has to offer together. Above all, they are deeply inspired by NYU students’ Jewish pride, curiosity, and openness to learning.

“These students are at a turning point in their lives and are exploring their values and Judaism with fresh eyes,” says Zechariah. “I’m excited to support their growth and connection with Judaism, with us, and with one another.”

Rabbi Ross adds, “We’re thrilled to welcome this incredible group of new directors to the JLIC family. Each of them brings such unique energy and vision to their campuses, and I’m genuinely excited to see how they’ll build on the amazing foundation their predecessors created.” n