Founding Director, OU-JLIC

Rabbi Menachem Schrader studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion and Yeshiva University. He has a BA in Philosophy from YU, an MA in History from NYU, and received his Smicha from Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. He was on the Torah studies faculty of Yeshivat Hamivtar, teaching Talmud, Bible, and Halachah. He was the director of the Aliza Flatow program at Nishmat. In the year 2000 he founded the Orthodox Union’s Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus of the Orthodox Union.

Director of OU-JLIC Israel

Rabbi Shulman is the director of Summer in Jerusalem, OU-JLIC in Israel and Yavneh. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife Jenny and their three kids. He loves to learn Torah, hike, do yoga and bake bread.

Director of Summer Programs for OU-JLIC

Yonina (Silverman) Rosenthal originally from New Jersey, now lives with her husband Gabi and son Koby in Jerusalem. Yonina holds a bachelors in Psychology and Judaic Studies from Hunter College. She spent many summers at Camp Stone where she has strengthened her love for Torah and informal education in her many different roles. Yonina has a double master’s degree in nonprofit management and Jewish Education from Hebrew University. She is also a past participant of the Nachshon Project Graduate fellowship. Yonina is very much looking forward to giving JLIC Summer participants an unparalleled experience this summer in Jerusalem.

Logistics Manager & Internship Coordinator

Atira (Zeitchik) Berger is originally from Riverdale, NY and went to SAR High School, followed by a gap year at Nishmat. She then attended Stern College where she double majored in Psychology and Judaic Studies. After graduating Stern, Atira made aliyah to Jerusalem and spent a year working as a madricha at Midreshet TVA. Atira is very passionate about informal education, and she has been involved in Bnei Akiva both during the school year as well as over many summers. Atira is excited about continuing to pursue this passion by joining the JLIC Summer team!

Associate Director of Community Projects, JLIC

Hani received a BA from the Stern College for Women Honors program, and an MA from the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Yeshiva University. During the over eight years that she has worked for JLIC, she has coordinated successful programs, crafted innovative curricula and created engaging PR materials and publications. Hani was born in Connecticut and grew up In Washington, DC. She lives in Israel with her husband and five boys.

Recruitment Coordinator

Sarah Smart earned her BA from Cornell University, majoring in Psychology and Near Eastern Studies. After graduating, she worked in the Yachad Summer Department at the Orthodox Union before making Aliyah to Jerusalem. Sarah has been involved in informal education and Jewish communal events for many years, including serving the Jewish community at Cornell and working for Yachad Summer as counselor and Assistant Program Director. During her tenure at Cornell, she spent several years as a fellow in JLIC's Yavneh on Campus program, including working as the Co-Chair of their National Board for two years.

Internship Manager

Shira Roth originally from Cleveland, Ohio, now lives in Givat Shmuel, Israel. After graduating high school from Fuchs Mizrachi School, she spent her gap year studying at Midreshet Nishmat and made Aliyah during that year. Shira then served two years of Sherut Leumi at Nefesh B’Nefesh. She is now studying Human Resources Management at Bar Ilan University and is involved with JLIC in the Bar Ilan/Givat Shmuel community. Shira has a lot of experience being involved with Bnei Akiva and has spent many summers at Camp Stone where her love for Torah and informal education grew. Shira is very exciting about working with the JLIC Summer team!

Volunteer Trip Program Directornj

Shira Schneider is originally from New York and spent a year learning at Midreshet Nishmat. She received a BA from Stern College for Women, majoring in Computer Science and minoring in Philosophy. After making Aliya in 2022, Shira now lives in Jerusalem. She is very excited about being part of the JLIC team and being able to help students participate in meaningful trips to Israel!