Orthodox Union’s Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus now present at every major university in Israel.

(Courtesy of OU) It’s a trend that began over a decade ago: whether post-Jewish day school, yeshiva, seminary, tzahal or sherut leumi, Orthodox North Americans in their 20s and 30s are increasingly attending Israel’s 10 universities and 51 colleges, and laying roots in the professional communities of Givat Shmuel, Tel Aviv, Herzliya, Yerushalayim and Haifa. With relentless antisemitism and anti-Zionism permeating North American college campuses post-October 7, this trend is likely to grow.

“There’s a snowball effect,” said OU Chief Strategy Officer Rabbi Ilan Haber. “Ten years ago, there weren’t many people going to Israel or staying there for university. Now it’s more common; people feel that they have more of a formal support system and network as more of their friends are choosing to stay in Israel in general — not just to attend university but to build their lives there.”

Thanks to the Orthodox Union’s Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus, or JLIC, these students and young professionals are embraced by a warm community offering a religious framework that includes Torah study, halachic and spiritual guidance from a resident rabbinic couple, Shabbat and holiday meals, and regular social events like sports activities, shiurim, holiday celebrations and shabbatons.

Largely supported by the Tzemach David Foundation, Dr. Monique Katz and Family, and in partnership with World Mizrachi, OU-JLIC Israel engages 3,000 young adults annually. In addition to dynamic Jewish education and activities, OU-JLIC offers resources for personal and religious growth, including mentoring, aliyah support, religious guidance and leadership development.

With the recent opening of chapters at Ben Gurion University, Ariel University and JCT-Tal (the girls campus of the Jerusalem College of Technology), OU-JLIC is now present on every major college campus in Israel, joining existing chapters at JCT-Lev (the boys campus of the Jerusalem College of Technology), Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and Reichman, Bar-Ilan, Tel Aviv and Haifa universities.

“An estimated 10 % of North American Modern Orthodox day school students come to Israel for college,” said OU-JLIC Israel Director Rabbi Jonathan Shulman. “Additionally, the Modern Orthodox yeshivas and seminaries in Israel often report that at least 15 to 20 % of their graduates end up going to college in Israel. If they’re coming, we want to be there for them.”

Anecdotally, Rabbi Shulman points to two developments that highlight North Americans’ increasing inclination to pursue university studies in Israel post October 7.

“We’ve been running many Zoom info sessions for students and their parents to learn more about colleges in Israel, and the supportive roles OU-JLIC communities play as homes away from home,” he said. “The last session we held before the summer was on a Sunday morning at 9:30, and 150 people attended. This suggests many Modern Orthodox college-age students are strongly considering studying in Israel as an option.”

Additionally, Rabbi Shulman noted that over 20 % of last year’s gap year students chose to stay in Israel — an all-time high.

While OU-JLIC was created for North American students, Europeans, South Americans, South Africans and even Israelis frequent its campus initiatives in Israel. Rabbi Shulman empathizes with students from abroad, who largely feel isolated when their Israeli peers return home for the weekend. This is where OU-JLIC steps in, he says, by building a warm and welcoming Jewish community for students and young professionals.

Rabbi Idan and Prielle Rakovsky are leading the new OU-JLIC program at Ben Gurion University (BGU) and are eager to build the new community.

“We are incredibly excited to move south and to join the family of BGU students through the launch of OU-JLIC,” said Rabbi Rakovsky. “We see this as an amazing opportunity to create a warm and supportive environment where Jewish students can explore their heritage, engage in Torah learning, and celebrate our Jewish and Zionist identity. We invite all students, no matter their background or level of observance, to join us in building this community. Our door is always open.”

Rabbi Rakovsky believes that OU-JLIC’s presence at BGU, Israel’s fourth-largest university, presents a tremendous opportunity to significantly impact not just young Anglos, but also “Tzabarim,” Israelis looking for meaningful Torah-based learning opportunities and social activities.

“We expect to engage with many students, both from the international community and Israel, who are seeking to enrich their Jewish life while pursuing their academic goals,” he said. “The community’s growth will be gradual, but significant, as word spreads and more students discover the opportunities OU-JLIC provides.”

As the new campus couple at Ariel University, Rabbi Assaf and Shlomit Olshitsky can’t wait to open their home to OU-JLIC students for Shabbat and holiday meals and weekly shiurim. They have a variety of fun and meaningful activities planned, including a hafrashat challah event, and hope to bring in inspiring speakers.

“We want students to come to us for everything they need,” said Rabbi Olshitsky. ‘“We will help them in any way possible. In the little time that we’ve been here on campus, we’ve met literal heroes — students who have made aliyah, have or will serve in the army or sherut leumi, or have simply come to study here, without family. As Israelis, we can’t imagine how difficult it is for them. They’re amazing, and we just want to help them feel comfortable and at home.”