Shulman Celebrates a Decade at JELF Meeting

Jenna Shulman kicked off the Jewish Education Loan Fund’s 148th annual meeting on Feb. 4 at Temple Sinai. She reveled in the strength JELF has shown the community and co-worker Josh Schaier, who also celebrated his 10th year alongside her.

Kennesaw State University Chabad Jewish Center’s Rabbi Zalman Charytan gave the D’var Torah by admiring JELF’S role in helping college students. He said, “Life is 10 percent what you make it, and 90 percent how you take it,” relating to one’s own perspective and the Beshalach Parsha of the Exodus, leading the Israelites on a winding path, and “not getting stuck in when (a less direct way) change might be better.”

Honoree Ilana Lind (middle) is surrounded by (left) grandmother, Cookie Draluck, and (right) mother, Betsy Popkin.

JELF board chair Emily Sauerteig related the new records of loaning over $2.1 million to nearly 500 students, a five percent increase, and at a 99 percent repayment rate; and the 2024 new revenue increase at $1 million. Gary Alembik and mother, Judith, were recognized for their new fund to support children of Jewish clergy.  Sauerteig spoke of the difficulty of being Jewish on campuses today and the special difficulty of those affected by wildfires in California. She inked a very clever deal with Streit Matzo which will put the JELF QR code on their boxes. She exclaimed, “Buy Streit’s this Passover!”

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Dr. Judy Wolman, past board chair and former loan recipient, installed the new officers.

A former JELF recipient, Rachel Ramaglia, explained her role now at the University of Georgia in sociology research about addiction. Also, because of her JELF loan, she was able to spend a semester abroad at Oxford College in England. She said, “Seeking government loans adds to a sinking hole … Jews (JELF) are not allowed to charge each other interest; and I might opt to delay payment and get a PhD in clinical psychology to make an even greater contribution to helping those with substance abuse.”

Drs. Maryianne and Steve Garber’s family has been involved with JELF for almost a century.

Dr. Marianne Garber, vice president and past board chair, awarded the Garber Family Award to Rob Rickles for his “collaborative leadership, writing skills and willingness to give advice.” Rickles was a communications consultant with Merrill Lynch for more than 20 years. He has held the role of JELF board chair twice previously. She referred to their family’s involvement nearly 100 years ago when her father-in-law, Al Garber, and his sisters were in the Hebrew Orphan’s Home and received loans to attend college.

Eydie Koonin explained that her spouse, Steve, who works with the Atlanta Hawks, was busy as the NBA trade deadline was approaching and the team’s front office was looking to make a few trades. Eydie Koonin then presented the Koonin Award to Ilana Lind (whom she has known since preschool) for her strategic thinking, engaging students with her resume writing, recruiting skills, and mentoring. She is a recruiter at AssuranceAmerica Corporation. Then, Koonin presented a similar award to Richard Peretz, who will be the board chair in 2026, for his service as a stepping stone with a new improved loan formula. A native of San Antonio, Richard was CFO for Atlanta-based UPS. He serves as JELF’S audit chair.

Eydie Koonin, past board member poses with honoree Richard Peretz and Ilana Peretz, both of whom received loans from Jewish organizations decades ago.

A video was shown highlighting Lind who held a Zoom call with students at various universities. Rickles referred to his JELF mission as “being deep in the soul.” He also has touched every committee. Lind stated that she was shocked to win the award and labeled it “a nice surprise.” Her mother and grandmother were on hand to share nachas.

New board members who were installed include Matthew Borenstein, Lisa Kohring, Ron Krudo, and Jon Mittleman.