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TESTIMONIALS

“I was a student student abroad at Hebrew University for a semester from Canada and Jeff’s Student Centre gave me a place I could go to meet(…)

I met Jeff in 1992 when I was studying at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, a U.C Santa Cruz abroad program . Jeff had a Jewish student center on(…)
After he went touring Israel with other Aish students , he found himself signing up for a Discovery seminar which rocked his whole world perception! Though he called his Dad back in L.A. to let him know that he “found” G-d, his Dad responded that G-d was also in U.C Berkeley and that he better get home now! Russell returned home to complete his university degree but came back to Israel his junior year and attended the Hebrew University in 1992. This is where we met !! And Jeff took care of us the whole year making sure we were heading in the right direction spiritually, setting us up for shabbat and yeshiva and anything we needed! Russell was featured on the Heritage House brochure with a picture that said ” most likely to assimilate and intermarry “
Today we are grateful to Jeff everyday as we now live in Israel with our 4 kids and 4 grandchildren !!
And now I work for an organization called Kotel Connections which looks to connect Jews who visit the Western Wall to Jewish resources and experiences and connections around the world !! And Reuven is in real estate helping others settle in this special land !
1992-2023 .. Jeff is still here asking me how the kids are doing and I still see his bowling shoes hitting the pavement whenever I’m in a hot spot !
Still groovin’ and movin’.. and changing lives !
We are just one family who wants to say ..hey… Thanks ! For making the effort.

Starting a gap year in Israel definitely isn’t easy, but with the services and events Jeff provides, it’s a lot easier to feel more at home and(…)

The Get Shabbat hosting experience is amazing, Jeff Seidel always finds the right match in setting up Shabbat and Chag meals with amazing and(…)

Jeff Seidel is a dedicated individual who has made it his mission to educate young people from all over the world about Israel. He manages(…)

Thank you Jeff for everything you have done for me these past couple years. You helped connect me numerous Israel programs including Aish(…)
Jake Nemeth

Me and Jeff Seidel, who is known for running Jewish student centers all across Israel for the benefit of passionate Jewish students from Israel(…)

About a week into our time here, my roommates brought me to meet a man named Jeff Seidel, whom most of them had heard of before coming to(…)
The Jeff Seidel Center (JSC) hosts a series of events for students all semester, some at the JSC and others across Israel. Each Tuesday night, we head to the JSC for a speaker and dinner. On Monday, they brought us to Jerusalem to drive all-terrain vehicles in the Jerusalem hills, right along the border of the West Bank (a zone of serious Arab-Israeli tension here in Israel). In March, we will be going to the south of Israel for a “Shabbaton” that includes rappelling in a crater and visiting a winery. After the first meeting, I was ready to call my parents and ask for some money because the opportunities were too good to pass up — until I found out it was all free. The JSC is funded by philanthropists that support students who come to Israel and hope to enrich our experience as much as possible. I was so shocked that something so incredible could exist for free.
Seidel himself has met celebrities such as the Rolling Stones, Jay Leno, Amare Stoudemire, Ivanka Trump and more. He is essentially a legend. Here in Tel Aviv, he works with another man, Rabbi Dov Lipman, whom we have also become quite close with. Last weekend, Dov and his wife, Dena, invited some of us from the JSC to their home for Shabbat. This was my first time truly celebrating Shabbat, and doing so at Rabbi’s house was a very unique experience.
Shabbat, as I mentioned in a previous article, is the Jewish Sabbath and takes place every Friday at sundown until Saturday at sundown. It’s supposed to be a day of rest, which is why much of Israel kind of shuts down during this time. Within the home, there are other specific rules, depending on the degree to which you follow Shabbat. Rabbi Dov and his family are Orthodox Jews, so their Shabbats are about as legitimate as you can get. For example, some of the rules include no writing, erasing, using the phone, driving, riding in cars, shopping, and turning on or off anything that uses electricity. When we arrived for Shabbat on Friday evening, the lights were on, and they remained on until Shabbat was over on Saturday, because you can have lights on as long as the flip isn’t switched during the actual period of Shabbat.
It was an immersive cultural experience, and an interesting one for me as Shabbat is part of my religion, but never something my family or I have paid much attention to as reform Jews. On Saturday, we had a large Shabbat lunch with the Rabbi and his family, and then went for a long walk outside. The area we were in, located just outside Jerusalem, follows the laws of Shabbat pretty seriously. We walked in the middle of the road as we strolled through the town, because there were almost no cars out driving; families were outside, kids were playing, and nearly everybody we passed said “Shabbat Shalom!” — the typical Shabbat greeting. It was incredibly peaceful, and though at first glance the long list of Shabbat restrictions seems overwhelming, I can now see how and why people follow these rules once a week, every week. It felt like a cleanse.
Between Rabbi Dov, his family and the Jeff Seidel Center, I have found myself surrounded by a group of incredibly supportive and generous people. At that first meeting at the Jeff Seidel Center, I never would have guessed that I soon would have a new family in this home away from home.
Original Post:
https://mainecampus.com/2019/02/shabbat-shalom/

In 1993, I was a 23 year old volunteering/traveling in Israel and Jeff hooked me up with a wonderful family in the old city for a Shabbat(…)
Fast forward to 2017, and I came to Israel for my kids B’nai Mitzvah. I contacted Jeff, so my kids could experience a traditional Shabbat dinner in Jerusalem as I did and once again, he delivered. We had a fabulous time at our host family’s home and I am so grateful to Jeff for his commitment and passion to connect people for Shabbat dinners. It is such a special program that Jeff has created and I don’t know if he realizes what a huge impact he makes on countless people’s lives. Jeff makes the world a better place and I am so glad that I met him all those years ago. Please continue what you’re doing Jeff. You’re a rock star.
-Tami Brauner

Hey Jeff! Thanks for giving me an Artscroll Sidur years ago! I really appreciate it and I’m not sure if I ever thanked you before for it! I got(…)

I would just like to single out who I felt was the real hero of the day on Friday.
As I was standing outside The Dan Family(…)
Right after they left, I had a thought. In the past year I have become friendly with one of the great leaders of the Jewish people, Jeff Seidel. Jeff runs The Jewish Student Information Centers around Israel. They are located on many campuses but are headquartered in the Old City. Jeff is constantly setting people up for Shabbos so I thought I would give it a try.
Jeff immediately emailed me back that it was no problem. They should just meet him at the men’s washing fountain at the Western Wall Plaza at 8:05pm. I passed along the message and went back to hosting our visitors.
Later that night, I went to the appointed meeting place to make sure everything worked out. What I saw left me speechless. A huge group was gathered around Jeff and he was working as hard as the maitre d’ of a busy restaurant. He was pairing up Jews looking for Shabbos meals with Jews eager to host. It was one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen.
I believe in my heart that what the Almighty desires most in the world is Jewish unity. When we rebuild the third Temple, it will be as a result of the Jewish people coming together in selfless dedication and support of one another. I would like to publicly thank the real hero of this past Friday, Jeff Seidel, for showing me the true path to Jewish unity.

Their food was amazing, and we all loved getting to know them and talking to them about life in Israel, our lives, etc. The next day we went to(…)
Their food was amazing, and we all loved getting to know them and talking to them about life in Israel, our lives, etc. The next day we went to the Perez’s for lunch. The food was superb, and it was amazing how they had so many guests over. I think they had about 30 people! They were just as welcoming to us, and it was so nice to feel like we had a home with people we had just met! It was truly an experience I will never forget.
Also, I know you wanted to get the word out to more people about setting people up for Shabbat. Let me know how I can help because I can tell people in my sorority about it!
Best,
Jess

Dear Jeff,
I just wanted to thank you for connecting me to so many great people during my summer here in Jerusalem! From Shabbat dinners to(…)
Dear Jeff,
I just wanted to thank you for connecting me to so many great people during my summer here in Jerusalem! From Shabbat dinners to tours around Israel you have truly helped me experience what it means to love this country! I never really experienced an authentic Shabbat but you made it possible to celebrate not one but two Shabbats during my time here. My tour through the old city was one of my favorite memories from my trip and it was all made possible thanks to you! Keep in touch, and I have no doubt you’ll help so many other kids the way you helped me !

Thank you! I just started reading the book, Daily Wisdom. I have never exactly read a book on the torah or read the torah itself, I have only(…)
Thank you! I just started reading the book, Daily Wisdom. I have never exactly read a book on the torah or read the torah itself, I have only heard the stories. I am so happy that I found Birthright to connect me to my heritage because I wouldn’t of have found it otherwise. Im already looking around for trips to go on with other jewish students next year!

Hi Jeff! Just wanted to thank you so much for setting us up with the Perez family for Shabbat dinner. It was an amazing experience that(…)
Hi Jeff! Just wanted to thank you so much for setting us up with the Perez family for Shabbat dinner. It was an amazing experience that wouldn’t have been possible without you. Thanks for everything you do! We all really appreciate it. It was great meeting you.

Dear Jeff and Mr. and Mrs. Perez,
On behalf of me, Spencer, Mallory, Ben, Alex, and Brittney I would like to thank you endlessly for(…)
Dear Jeff and Mr. and Mrs. Perez,
On behalf of me, Spencer, Mallory, Ben, Alex, and Brittney I would like to thank you endlessly for coordinating our Shabbat dinner with the Perez family. It was truly one of the best experiences, and I speak on behalf of the group when I say they were some of the warmest and most welcoming people. We couldn’t have been happier to be there until 2 am, and we couldn’t have felt more comfortable – especially being so far away from home and from our own families.
The food was amazing, but the hospitality, warmth and loving atmosphere the Perez family created far outshined even the chocolate challah (which was a great way to start the meal- for sure). On behalf of all of us, thank you for coordinating, and most importantly, thank you to the Perez family for hosting us. That was something we’ll never forget, and we’ve been reminiscing about it ever since the meal ended (albeit, that wasn’t so long ago considering it went until 2:00, but like I said- we wouldn’t have had it any other way 🙂 ). All the best with everything!
Take care,
Rebecca Soverinsky

Dear Jeff, Rivky, and Shmuel,
There are no words to thank you enough for all you did for me in these past few months while in Israel. Whether(…)
As a Jew, I feel even more connected with my religion after taking part in your enriching program. Thanks again, I wish you all the best in the future. Keep in touch!
Olivia

Dear Jeff:
I am immensely grateful for all of the opportunities the center has given me in the past semester. Without the events (and free(…)
Jazzie Morgan

Dear Jeff,
I can’t thank you enough for the opportunities you’ve given me. Without your care and generosity I would not have the friends I do(…)
Maya Ben-Shushan

Dear Jeff,
I cannot thank you enough for helping to make this the most incredible experience of my life. You made me feel welcomed, hosted(…)
With endless Gratitude,
Alyse

Firstly, thank you so much for bringing all of us here, in this place. It gave me such a big opportunity to meet people all over the world. I(…)
Thank you so so much. You’ll be missed.

Thank you all for inspiring me, for giving me a place to feel home, a new family since IÛªm far from home. Thank you for bringing me a step(…)

Its been more then 6 years since I first met Jeff Seidel. Arriving in Jerusalem to study at the Hebrew University, I had a very narrow idea of(…)

I can genuinely say that I would not be where I am today without Jeff and his program. When I first joined the program, I honestly did not know(…)

Dear Mr. Seidel and Mr. Milstein, My name is Joey Bendah, I am a Junior at the University of Arizona taking a semester abroad in Jerusalem. Just(…)

Dear Jeff, Thank you so much for funding my time outside of the Center spent with Rivky. I truly appreciate your kindness, generosity, and(…)

Jeff Seidel’s 2013 Poland trip was hands down one of the most memorable and significant experiences of my life. Being that both of my maternal(…)

Hi Jeff, I wanted to thank you again for the opportunity to come on the Poland trip. It was truly a meaningful experience. The trip added a new(…)

Judaism can be a very difficult thing to connect to. With the help of Jeff Seidel and all his wonderful programming, however, I found it very(…)

To Batsheva and Rakefet, I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for running and how you ran the Jeff Seidel program. You guys took(…)

Dear Mr. Jeff Seidel (and Batsheva!), I have really enjoyed attending the Monday night program, going on the Poland trip, and studying with(…)

I think that the Jeff Seidel center is organized really good, the lessons during the week were really interesting, with good food and i liked(…)

The Jeff Seidel Student Center was a crucial and incredibly positive aspect of my time in Israel. Jeff and his wonderful staff catered to my(…)

Hi Batya and Jeff, Jeff, it was nice to see you last week! Here’s what I would like to say… While studying abroad at Tel Aviv University, I(…)

I was a student studying abroad at Hebrew University and I do not think my time abroad would have been even half of what it was without Jeff(…)

Dear Jeff, I want to thank you for extending a generous hand and an invitation this past Shabbat Evening. You mentioned that oftentimes people(…)

The first experience I had with Jeff Seidel, was at the kotel this past summer. My friend and I had planned on davening at the wall and heading(…)

Hi Jeff, I just wanted to thank you and Pnina for hosting the wonderful Prague trip this weekend. It was truly a great idea and the best(…)

Dear Jeff Seidel, Three years ago I came to Israel to do my pediatrics internship in ALYN Hospital and my religious roommate brought me to your(…)

Jeff, I want to thank you for providing such an incredible experience for me over the past 10 months. I have learned so many interesting and(…)

Dear Jeff, It’s strange to think that a person I’ve only met in passing has showed so much kindness. Through your support and your programming(…)

Thank you so much for everything you have given me in Be’er Sheva this year. You have made judaism so much more accessible to me this year(…)

In addition to having the privilege of meeting Jeff Seidel, that same day, I walked away with my first Siddur. While a Siddur to many who have(…)

Dear Jeff and Ezra, Thank you for providing such an amazing weekend in Prague. Before I went on the trip I had no idea what to expect and I(…)

Jeff,
Thank you so much for all the amazing programming this semester. I loved the all speakers, learning and every event in between. This(…)
Shoshi Benjamin