JAM: Jewish Awareness Movement
JAM was initially founded in 1996 by Rabbi Moshe and Bracha Zaret. Since JAM’s first trip to Israel that same year, JAM has expanded to include six full time Rabbis, a multi-million dollar JAM Center, and hundreds of students actively involved each year. JAM is officialy a student club at UCLA, USC, UCSD,SDSU, and UCSB with Rabbis living near each campus. However, students from all over southern Californian campuses are involved. JAM inspires college students to love their heritage and find a group of like minded peers.
JAM’s office is located in Los Angeles and enjoys the support of the Los Angeles Jewish Community. JAM has been featured in many Jewish write ups and has received numerous grants and awards. One of the unique aspects of JAM is its young, dynamic campus Rabbis (and families) that develop mentorship relationships with participants and cultivate student leaders. Each year, JAM brings groups of students on a three week trip to Israel during winter and summer break. The Israel Trip combines exploring Jewish topics in the mornings and touring the country, rappelling, camel riding, horseback riding, climbing Massada and more in the afternoons. JAM also offers a 10-day Birthright option.
JAM also runs 10 day winter and spring break trips to New York. The New York trip offers a select group of 50 college students hotel accommodations at the beautiful Carlton Hotel on Madison Ave. Students hear from world class educators on Jewish topics in the mornings, and tour the Big Apple in the afternoons. JAM also offers a subsidized trip to the AIPAC convention, with additional touring and programs.
The JAM London Trip also takes place each year during school breaks. A group of 30 students are hosted in community homes for a week in Jewish London. Inspiring lecturers teach classes in the mornings, and the afternoons feature touring at Windsor Castle, The Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, and other sites.
There is also a whole array of events offered at each cumpus. Some are weekly, some are occasional, but all guarantee a good time! JAM Rabbis specialize in Barbeques, challah baking, sushi making and chocolate fondue. (All JAM events must have good food.) JAM events range from educational and inspiring to fun and social. We invite you to contact us for more information to find out what everyone’s been raving about!
