Program at Hillel Academy to spotlight Israeli universities for U.S. applicants
Community-wide chance to 'think more broadly, and about what matters and why'
With Jewish life on campus guiding the decisions of many U.S. college applicants, an Arizonan is coming to Pittsburgh to tell students and families to consider post-secondary schooling in Israel.
Eli Kreisberger, the North American engagement manager for JLIC College in Israel, will speak at Hillel Academy of Pittsburgh on March 17 at 6 p.m.
Open to the entire community, the program, Kreisberger said, will cover college in Israel, various programs and pathways, and “what living in Israel as a student is really like.”
Kreisberger, 25, is a graduate of Reichman University, an Israeli institution known for welcoming more than 2,500 students from 90 countries.
Though Kreisberger is happy sharing personal reflections from his time abroad, he plans to showcase 11 universities affiliated with JLIC (Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus), a program of the Orthodox Union.
Those 11 universities, Kreisberg said, vary in location and offerings. Spanning from Haifa to Beersheba, the educational centers provide nearly 90 programs for international students, with courses delivered solely in English or transitioning to Hebrew over time.
On each of its affiliated campuses, JLIC enhances the college experience by giving students a Jewish communal hub, Kreisberger said. Operated typically by a young married couple, each JLIC community provides students on campus with Shabbat and holiday programming, learning opportunities, “whatever you’re looking for.”
Kreisberger called JLIC a “Modern Orthodox organization,” but said events cater to Jewish students from various backgrounds. “You have people from all over the place, all over the world, different observances, just a giant melting pot.”
Costs, culture, consideration
Over the past five years, growing numbers of U.S. high school graduates have chosen to attend universities in Israel. Diversity of Jewish life is one factor drawing students abroad. The other, Kreisberger said, is increased antisemitism in the U.S. “There’s no way to sugarcoat it. Antisemitism on college campuses in America is horrible. Even with the war having died down a little bit, antisemitism still exists, it’s reared its ugly head, and it’s not going away anytime soon.”
Economics is another driver, he said. Whether students plan on making aliyah or returning to the U.S. after graduation, attending college in Israel makes financial sense.
Tuition in Israel ranges between $5,000-$18,000 per year, according to OU representatives.
Students who ultimately move to Israel, and are under age 27, may be eligible for free tuition, according to Nefesh B’Nefesh, an organization that facilitates immigration to Israel for North Americans.
Kreisberger returned to the U.S. after graduating college. Those interested in a similar path, he said, should consider that a year of tuition in the U.S. costs about the same amount “as I paid for my entire degree.”
Added experience
In addition to speaking publicly in Pittsburgh, Kreisberger plans to hold separate sessions with students and other interested parties.
Lauren Lieberman, director of college counseling at Hillel Academy and an independent educational consultant, hopes community members use Kreisberger’s visit as an opportunity to broaden perspectives on the college application process.
Many families spend considerable time exploring various options. Hearing about different opportunities increases one’s “confidence” when it comes to making a choice, she said.
Lieberman sees Kreisberger’s visit as a valuable tool for decision-making.
“Since Oct. 7 Jewish families are thinking differently about what life looks like on a college campus,” she said.
Kreisberger’s talk will address the ability to receive a high-quality education, lower tuition costs and opportunities to explore Judaism differently; those issues are worth considering, Lieberman said. The program is simply a chance for students and families to “think more broadly, and about what matters and why.”
Registration for the College in Israel Information Session is available online. PJC
Adam Reinherz can be reached at areinherz@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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