
JEWISH COMMUNITY YOUTH FOUNDATION ALUMNI
The JCYF alumni community is continually growing and involved in exciting projects. Let us know how to reach you and we’ll keep you updated on special events and opportunities.
JCYF Distinguished Alumni Award
Each year, JCYF recognizes an alum who is making or has made an outstanding contribution to their Jewish Community on campus or surrounding community.
2024: Gabrielle Bailey
JCYF Class of 2021
- Hometown: Princeton Junction, NJ
- College: Northeastern University
- Award Money Given To:
Northeastern Hillel’s Tikkun Olam Committee

2024: Gabrielle Bailey
- JCYF Class of 2021
- Hometown: Princeton Junction, NJ
- College: Northeastern University
- Award Money Given To: Northeastern Hillel’s Tikkun Olam Committee
Involvement in the Jewish Community and Israel:
I am deeply involved with the Northeastern Hillel both as a Board member and as President of the Tikkun Olam Committee linking students with local charitable organizations. I am dedicated to ensuring students find a welcoming environment at Hillel and feel integrated into the Jewish community. On Fridays, I attend services and dinners, cherishing moments with my friends. Additionally, I volunteer at a Jewish senior home through Hebrew Senior Life. My commitment to my Jewish roots extended to a memorable summer in Israel, where I experienced Birthright Israel and later worked at Technion in Haifa through Onward Israel. I’ve been a part of the Jewish Learning Fellowship and am looking forward to joining the Israel Learning Fellowship.
How has JCYF influenced your current involvement in the Jewish community?
JCYF equipped me with the skills to research and partner with various organizations for events in collaboration with Northeastern Hillel’s Tikkun Olam Commitee. This experience also honed my ability to convey the significance and value of an organization’s cause to fellow students.
Gabrielle’s Message to the Current JCYF Participants:
Dedicating time to the service of others is a valuable way to learn about both your community and yourself.
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JCYF Class of 2021 Hometown: Princeton Junction, NJ College: Northeastern University Award Money Given To: Northeastern Hillel’s Tikkun Olam Committee |
Involvement in the Jewish Community and Israel:
I am deeply involved with the Northeastern Hillel both as a Board member and as President of the Tikkun Olam Committee linking students with local charitable organizations. I am dedicated to ensuring students find a welcoming environment at Hillel and feel integrated into the Jewish community. On Fridays, I attend services and dinners, cherishing moments with my friends. Additionally, I volunteer at a Jewish senior home through Hebrew Senior Life. My commitment to my Jewish roots extended to a memorable summer in Israel, where I experienced Birthright Israel and later worked at Technion in Haifa through Onward Israel. I’ve been a part of the Jewish Learning Fellowship and am looking forward to joining the Israel Learning Fellowship.
How has JCYF influenced your current involvement in the Jewish community?
JCYF equipped me with the skills to research and partner with various organizations for events in collaboration with Northeastern Hillel’s Tikkun Olam Commitee. This experience also honed my ability to convey the significance and value of an organization’s cause to fellow students.
Gabrielle’s Message to the Current JCYF Participants:
Dedicating time to the service of others is a valuable way to learn about both your community and yourself.
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JCYF Class of 2017 Hometown: Princeton Junction, NJ College: McGill University Award Money Given To: DOROT, Inc. |
Involvement in the Jewish Community and Israel:
After learning about DOROT through JCYF in 9th grade, I visited individuals and created lasting friendships. During a gap year in Israel focusing on social responsibility and mutual cultural respect with Kivunim, I met Jewish artists, musicians, historians and government leaders. I also volunteered with parents and their toddlers with special needs at Shalva. As Vice President of Chabad McGill, I cultivated a sense of belonging for students. I loved delivering food to homebound seniors during the thick of the pandemic, bringing them an extra smile and a short, but thoughtful conversation. Living in the city, I look forward to getting involved with DOROT and Chabad Young Professionals. Through Partners in Torah, I meet with a partner to enrich my Jewish life and learning.
How has JCYF influenced your current involvement in the Jewish community?
Pirkei Avot teaches us to not separate ourselves from our communities. I remind myself to look within my community to build partnerships, meet new people, and volunteer. JCYF teaches us how our money, time and community can be leveraged for good.
Philippa’s Message to the Current JCYF Participants:
JCYF is a wonderful opportunity to find out who you are and what you care about. Find what motivates you to get involved and make your mark! I believe a life which emphasizes philanthropy and Jewish community will be a life rich with meaning and joy.
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JCYF Class of 2020 Hometown: Robbinsville, NJ College: Elon University Award Money Given To: Mazon – A Jewish Response to Hunger |
Involvement in the Jewish Community and Israel:
Over the course of the past year, I have made a tremendous effort to become a part of the Jewish community on Elon University’s campus. I found myself forming a really deep connection with my campus’s Hillel. I enrolled in a Hebrew language class, and my professor, Boaz Avraham-Katz has become one of my closest, most trusted mentors. I am now taking Hebrew III, working for Hillel as an engagement intern, and sitting on the Community Development Committee. Not only that, but I am the treasurer of Elon University’s Hebrew club, which we just started this past year. I’m planning on doing Birthright Israel this coming summer and following it with a program with Onward Israel, where I’ll be spending a month interning at the Technion Institute of Technology. Throughout last year I taught my local New Jersey Hebrew School via ZOOM with one of my friends.
How has JCYF influenced your current involvement in the Jewish community?
JCYF taught me that there are more ways to get involved than just going to Hebrew school or getting tutored for a b’not mitzvah. JCYF taught me that Judaism is more than prayers and torah, it’s a community of people who grow and learn together. I feel that I have tried my best to carry that with me to college, which is what helped me get involved in a meaningful way.
Mandi’s Message to the Current JCYF Participants:

2024: Gabrielle Bailey
- JCYF Class of 2021
- Hometown: Princeton Junction, NJ
- College: Northeastern University
- Award Money Given To: Northeastern Hillel’s Tikkun Olam Committee
Involvement in the Jewish Community and Israel:
I am deeply involved with the Northeastern Hillel both as a Board member and as President of the Tikkun Olam Committee linking students with local charitable organizations. I am dedicated to ensuring students find a welcoming environment at Hillel and feel integrated into the Jewish community. On Fridays, I attend services and dinners, cherishing moments with my friends. Additionally, I volunteer at a Jewish senior home through Hebrew Senior Life. My commitment to my Jewish roots extended to a memorable summer in Israel, where I experienced Birthright Israel and later worked at Technion in Haifa through Onward Israel. I’ve been a part of the Jewish Learning Fellowship and am looking forward to joining the Israel Learning Fellowship.
How has JCYF influenced your current involvement in the Jewish community?
JCYF equipped me with the skills to research and partner with various organizations for events in collaboration with Northeastern Hillel’s Tikkun Olam Commitee. This experience also honed my ability to convey the significance and value of an organization’s cause to fellow students.
Gabrielle’s Message to the Current JCYF Participants:
Dedicating time to the service of others is a valuable way to learn about both your community and yourself.
2024: Gabrielle Bailey
JCYF Class of 2021
- Hometown: Princeton Junction, NJ
- College: Northeastern University
- Award Money Given To:
Northeastern Hillel’s Tikkun Olam Committee






10 Year Impact Study
The Jewish Community Youth Foundation completed an independent 10 year impact study. Click here for the complete results, or click here for a quick overview of some key findings!
Dr. David Kligman Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Dr. David Kligman z”l Memorial Scholarship Fund ensures that no student is turned away due to inability to pay. Donations to this scholarship fund or to support the JCYF program are encouraged and can be made here. Please indicate gift is to be attributed to the Kligman Scholarship Fund in comments section of donation form.
JCYF is a project of JFCS and funded by the Ricky & Andrew J. Shechtel Philanthropic Fund.