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Jewish Learning Initiative came to Brooklyn College, home to 6000 Jewish students, upon the request of its Hillel director. The shlichim deal specifically with three Jewish subcommunities on campus: the Modern Orthodox, the Russian, and the Syrian Jewish students. The shlichim reach out to students by inviting them over to their house, directing Shabbat programs, giving classes, and learning bechevruta with students.
This year's program included shiurim on the topics of the Jewish Year and the role of the Jewish woman (and a women's Sukkah party!). On Purim, Hillel hosted Megillah reading for 300 students, followed by a meal and Purim plays in Russian and in English. Ongoing shiurim for students given by the rabbi include Fundamentals of Judaism, Derech HaShem, and Parashat HaShavua. The rabbi's wife gives a weekly class for women and runs an interdenomenational women's dialogue group.
JLI works with the Hillel and other Jewish groups on campus, adding Torah to programs that would otherwise be devoid of any religious content. JLI added to Hillel’s Yom HaAtzmaut celebration on campus and arranged for a Yom HaZikaron commemoration to be held as well. Future plans include setting up a Beit Midrash that will attract even more students and increase the number of chevrutot that the couple engages in. JLI also intends to create a Shabbat and holiday minyan for beginners.
Educators Speak: "The spring semester at Brooklyn College proved to be even more action packed than the fall. We felt a continued positive response to the JLI presence on campus and an increasing desire among the students to participate in our educational programs and social events." (Rabbi Reuven and Nalini Ibragimov, JLI Brooklyn College 2002-2004)