Yael is originally from Los Angeles, CA and made Aliyah with her family after learning for a year in MMY. After seminary, she did Sherut Leumi at Nefesh B’Nefesh in the Post Aliyah Department and continued to work at Nefesh B’Nefesh as well as at MMY as a Madricha for the three years following Sherut Leumi while completing her undergrad at Bar Ilan University. During this time, she met Joe and they got married in August 2025. Yael loves nature, teaching a hype Zumba class, and getting lost in a good book. She’s passionate about Aliyah and Israel and is always looking to spread that love with others.
Joe grew up in West Hempstead, NY, and received his B.A. in Psychology from Queens College, while in parallel learning at Yeshiva Gedola of the Five Towns. After graduating, he spent a year teaching at Rambam Mesivta High School (which he attended as a student), during which he decided to move to Israel. He made Aliyah in August 2024 and spent his first year in Israel as a Madrich in Reishit where he had spent two years learning post high school. Concurrently, he studied at HebrewU and earned his MBA by the following year. He works in Amazon PPC advertising out of an office in Jerusalem. In his free time, you’ll find Joe playing chess, working out, enjoying a fruit, or sipping a good cup of coffee.
Yael and Joe are passionate about Israel, connected Jewish community life, and are so excited to blend their passions and talents in building the new JLIC student center!