JELF Recognizes Volunteers, Record Loan Amounts

The Distillery of Modern Art in Doraville was the backdrop on Dec. 2 for the Jewish Education Loan Fund (JELF) event celebration of, “Turning Dreams into Diplomas.”

Event co-chair, Warren Binderman, declared, “JELF ensures that the cost of education doesn’t stand in the way of Jewish students with over $2 million in interest-free loans this year,” noting there was still a huge gap in what’s needed.

JELF CEO, Jenna Shulman, announced an anonymous $20,000 donation for “matched gifts” that was recently called in remotely from someone visiting from England and wanted to be represented. Shulman was also praised or her dedication to JELF, “devoting practically every minute of every day to her job.”

Outgoing board chair, Emily Sauerteig, recalled celebrating a record in 2018 that $1 million was raised to benefit 200 students, “and here we are today helping 700 students with $2.3 million.”

She also recognized Josh Schaier, JELF chief development officer, for his 10-year employment at JELF; and that the past seven JELF chairs were also present.

Dr. Marianne Garber, JELF vice president and past board chair, awarded the Garber Family Award to Bob Thompson as, “a really nice, quiet, and humble guy who contributes his calm wisdom.”

A video of Thompson’s extended family showcased his children and grandchildren sending “mazel tovs” and good wishes. Garber referred to her own family’s involvement nearly 100 years ago when her father-in-law, Al Garber, and his sisters were in the Hebrew Orphan’s Home in Atlanta and received loans to attend college.

Eydie Koonin, past board member, presented the Koonin Family Service Award to Ross Linzer (board member who lives in Ft. Lauderdale), Aaron Lipson (outgoing board member), and Eitan Ovadia (board member from Boca Raton, originally from Atlanta) and coincidentally, all attorneys and “three good men.”

She explained that leadership measures visible impact and heart, “not just resources and ideas.”

Note that the local JELF chapter includes South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, and Georgia. A video was shown featuring fast moving panels of youthful JELF recipients expressing gratitude.

The final speaker was incoming board chair Richard Peretz (past UPS executive), who shared that in 1980 he was a recipient of a Hebrew interest-free loan in another state, though not specifically JELF. In accepting the honor to lead the organization for the next two years, he labeled JELF loans as “a gift that doesn’t just change one life but also removes financial barriers and cycles positively into future generations.”

Earlier in the pre-function hour, a variety of specialty cocktails was served alongside High Roller Sushi choices, and a latke/lox buffet. JELF supporters, Brian and Alice Wertheim, who had previously served on the loan review committee, recalled that her father, growing up in New Orleans, had received a scholarship to Tulane University which was a really important factor.

Diana Margolis, Liz Karen, and Shulman chatted with Amy Wait, the new JELF manager of engagement for South Florida. JELF supporters, Aaron Danzig, Steve Pepper, and Amy and Jeff Rubin, told the AJT of the value that JELF brings forward. Past board chair Stan Lowenstein said, “JELF is certainly fortunate to have Peretz taking over as the new chair. Someone with his acumen will be able to continue on our growth path.”

JELF loans have a 99 percent repayment rate. With student loan debt at an all-time high, inflation also raises the cost of higher education. Of JELF’s applicants, 31 percent have a household income of under $50,000. The Jewish community is not immune to hardship nor the problem of mounting debt.