Rabbi Aryeh and Sharona Kaplan, have been leading the JLIC community at UCLA for an astounding 20 years! Their powerful impact on Jewish Bruin life earned them the designation of Exemplars of Excellence - they highest honor bestowed on campus professionals by Hillel International.
With their strong team of student leaders they redefine the Jewish campus experience through a robust menu of weekly programs and signature Shabbat and holiday celebrations. The six Kaplan kids, authentically ‘Bruin born and Bruin bred’, round out the *optimal* JLIC team. Beyond their campus roles, the Kaplans are celebrated as visionaries who are committed to strengthening the JLIC and Yavneh presence in the region. As Directors of JLIC West, they pioneered a robust student leadership network in California... Read More
Rabbi and Sharona Kaplan are truly one of a kind. They are able to give each student attention, while also creating a community as a whole. Their unbelievable dedication to the community shines through and I can’t imagine UCLA without them.
I constantly seek advice and guidance from Rabbi and Sharona Kaplan; and they have never failed me. I can’t imagine greater role models weather religiously or character wise. I am lucky to be able to learn from them!
Shabbat lunches have become the highlight of my week. The weekly Shabbat minyan followed by kiddush and lunch is a labor of love by the Kaplans but is what truly fosters a sense of community. Rain or shine, the Kaplans always show up and I am so grateful for the weekly event.
They are welcoming everyone no matter the background and make everyone feel comfortable.
Both Rabbi Kaplan and Sharona Kaplan have been outstanding directors of JLIC in my time here. They are both exceptionally kind, thoughtful, and generous and show genuine excitement to provide any assistance/support that one may ask of them, in addition to encouraging people to ask questions or engage in learning with them
They care so deeply about the community, and actively model what it looks like to live a joyous Jewish life. Without them, I think I would be far less inclined to partake in Judaism and the Jewish community
As an already Orthodox student, I greatly benefit from the Kaplans’ availability and guidance through lunch and learns as well as personal mentorship. I am incredibly greatly for their presence in my life.
The Kaplans are truly emissaries from Hashem. What they give our entire community is so far beyond transactional - their programs are life-affirming, thoughtful, and eye-opening. I remain so grateful.
Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan and Sharona are absolutely crucial Jewish role models for me. They each lead with warmth, authenticity, and a deep commitment to every student. Rabbi Kaplan is an incredible teacher who makes Torah feel meaningful and relevant in everyday life, and he always takes the time to listen and guide without judgment. Sharona brings so much heart, strength, and positivity into our community her support, wisdom, and kindness make a huge impact on students individually and on the community as a whole.
Together, they create a space where students feel welcomed, supported, and inspired to grow in their Jewish identity. Their dedication, consistency, and genuine care make them role models not just in religious leadership, but also in character, compassion, and how to live with purpose. They truly elevate Jewish life on campus in every way.
At UCLA, the Kaplans are THE BEST!!!!!! They have had a tremendous impact on my love and understanding of my Judaism. They are incredible teachers, spiritual leaders, and people.
Their advice IS the gold standard. I admire how they support a community, and if I could be 1/1000th of the incredible role models they are when I grow up, that would be enough.
The Kaplans are exactly who I want to be when I grow up! They model love for HaShem, community, overflowing kindness, and joy.
Rabbi Aryeh and Sharona Kaplan are excellent at what they do. They enhance the Jewish community at UCLA through their passionate work and care for students, and are always there for everyone. Speaking on behalf of many UCLA students, the Kaplans have made UCLA feel like home and even like high school in the sense that they bridge connections in the community and make the school feel a lot smaller.
The Kaplans lead by example and never cease to demonstrate kindness and patience with all students. Through their actions they show people what Ahavat Yisrael means.
The Kaplans are such a huge part of my college experience. They are so supportive and so dedicated to our community, their mesirus nefesh is remarkable. They invigorate our campus with vibrant Jewish life and boundless positivity. They have been integral in making our campus into a home away from home for so many students, and I am eternally grateful for their guidance, presence, and commitment.
Rabbi Kaplan and Sharona are the lifeblood of the Jewish community at UCLA. On top of providing observant students with the infrastructure and community they need to continue their observance on a secular campus, they also create a warm and inclusive environment that less observant students are drawn to and feel comfortable in. Regardless of whether such students go on to live observant lives, the fact that they are able to be a part of the community and walk away with such a positive impression is a tremendous good for Klal Israel.
I look up to them so much. They allow themselves to be relatable but at the same time on a higher level which inspires everyone and makes me feel that it’s possible to get there and I want to be like how they are one day.
Sharona has this gift of making every student feel seen, welcomed, and valued. She brings warmth, sincerity, and genuine care into everything she does, and it changes the whole atmosphere. Because of her, school and JIC feel inviting, comforting, and uplifting. She encourages me not just to learn about Judaism, but to live it in a way that feels meaningful and joyful.
I kvell about the JLIC Couple at UCLA and really appreciate the work you are doing for us!
Rabbi and Sharona Kaplan are truly one of a kind. They are able to give each student attention, while also creating a community as a whole. Their unbelievable dedication to the community shines through and I can’t imagine UCLA without them.
I constantly seek advice and guidance from Rabbi and Sharona Kaplan; and they have never failed me. I can’t imagine greater role models weather religiously or character wise. I am lucky to be able to learn from them!
Shabbat lunches have become the highlight of my week. The weekly Shabbat minyan followed by kiddush and lunch is a labor of love by the Kaplans but is what truly fosters a sense of community. Rain or shine, the Kaplans always show up and I am so grateful for the weekly event.
They are welcoming everyone no matter the background and make everyone feel comfortable.
Both Rabbi Kaplan and Sharona Kaplan have been outstanding directors of JLIC in my time here. They are both exceptionally kind, thoughtful, and generous and show genuine excitement to provide any assistance/support that one may ask of them, in addition to encouraging people to ask questions or engage in learning with them
They care so deeply about the community, and actively model what it looks like to live a joyous Jewish life. Without them, I think I would be far less inclined to partake in Judaism and the Jewish community
As an already Orthodox student, I greatly benefit from the Kaplans’ availability and guidance through lunch and learns as well as personal mentorship. I am incredibly greatly for their presence in my life.
The Kaplans are truly emissaries from Hashem. What they give our entire community is so far beyond transactional - their programs are life-affirming, thoughtful, and eye-opening. I remain so grateful.
Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan and Sharona are absolutely crucial Jewish role models for me. They each lead with warmth, authenticity, and a deep commitment to every student. Rabbi Kaplan is an incredible teacher who makes Torah feel meaningful and relevant in everyday life, and he always takes the time to listen and guide without judgment. Sharona brings so much heart, strength, and positivity into our community her support, wisdom, and kindness make a huge impact on students individually and on the community as a whole.
Together, they create a space where students feel welcomed, supported, and inspired to grow in their Jewish identity. Their dedication, consistency, and genuine care make them role models not just in religious leadership, but also in character, compassion, and how to live with purpose. They truly elevate Jewish life on campus in every way.
At UCLA, the Kaplans are THE BEST!!!!!! They have had a tremendous impact on my love and understanding of my Judaism. They are incredible teachers, spiritual leaders, and people.
Their advice IS the gold standard. I admire how they support a community, and if I could be 1/1000th of the incredible role models they are when I grow up, that would be enough.
The Kaplans are exactly who I want to be when I grow up! They model love for HaShem, community, overflowing kindness, and joy.
Rabbi Aryeh and Sharona Kaplan are excellent at what they do. They enhance the Jewish community at UCLA through their passionate work and care for students, and are always there for everyone. Speaking on behalf of many UCLA students, the Kaplans have made UCLA feel like home and even like high school in the sense that they bridge connections in the community and make the school feel a lot smaller.
The Kaplans lead by example and never cease to demonstrate kindness and patience with all students. Through their actions they show people what Ahavat Yisrael means.
The Kaplans are such a huge part of my college experience. They are so supportive and so dedicated to our community, their mesirus nefesh is remarkable. They invigorate our campus with vibrant Jewish life and boundless positivity. They have been integral in making our campus into a home away from home for so many students, and I am eternally grateful for their guidance, presence, and commitment.
Rabbi Kaplan and Sharona are the lifeblood of the Jewish community at UCLA. On top of providing observant students with the infrastructure and community they need to continue their observance on a secular campus, they also create a warm and inclusive environment that less observant students are drawn to and feel comfortable in. Regardless of whether such students go on to live observant lives, the fact that they are able to be a part of the community and walk away with such a positive impression is a tremendous good for Klal Israel.
I look up to them so much. They allow themselves to be relatable but at the same time on a higher level which inspires everyone and makes me feel that it’s possible to get there and I want to be like how they are one day.
Sharona has this gift of making every student feel seen, welcomed, and valued. She brings warmth, sincerity, and genuine care into everything she does, and it changes the whole atmosphere. Because of her, school and JIC feel inviting, comforting, and uplifting. She encourages me not just to learn about Judaism, but to live it in a way that feels meaningful and joyful.
I kvell about the JLIC Couple at UCLA and really appreciate the work you are doing for us!
