Devorah Balakhaneh
is a founding member and alumnus of
OU-JLIC SMC and OU-JLIC at CSUN.
She grew up in Beverly Hills and attended YULA Girls High School. After highschool she spent a year at Sha’alvim for Women. Devorah works at a residential real estate firm in Los Angeles.
You were a founding member both of OU-JLIC at SMC and of OU-JLIC at CSUN. Can you explain what each of these programs add to the campus experience for Orthodox students?
Attending secular college after over 12 years of Yeshiva day school plus a year of yeshiva/midrasha could be very daunting. As Orthodox Jews in secular college, we are told to stay away from certain crowds, are faced with uncomfortable situations, and sometimes need to filter certain lectures. To some, college can be a lonely place, where the goal of each day is solely to attend class and “survive”. OU-JLIC makes college a place where students can thrive and grow as Bnei and Bnot Torah.
I speak for myself and many other students when I say that I am a more sophisticated, learned, and strong Jew four months post-graduation than I was as a fresh seminary alum, mostly due to the fact that I was involved with OU-JLIC...
Students get to hear and learn from JLIC educators, who are not only Talmidei/Talmidot Chachaimim/ot, but are also college-educated and well-rounded role models...It was and is comforting to know that there is a couple who focuses on providing positive programming for students, and is a listening ear should students need any help or guidance throughout our college career and beyond.
What was your involvement with OU-JLIC at SMC and at CSUN?
I met with both couples early on in the foundational process to discuss potential programming, kickoff events, creating a board, recruiting, and marketing. I was the first president of OU-JLIC at SMC. In fact, the first ever kickoff event was in my backyard. I took full advantage of the learning opportunities, and had a weekly chavruta with Orit Faguet. I attended weekly classes, helped plan chaburahs, and assisted in organizing social events. I still continue to actively recruit new students and attend weekly classes.
Do you still maintain a connection with the Faguets or Bornsteins?
I maintain a very close connection with the Faguets. I’m in touch with either Rabbi Nick or Orit for halachic queries, life advice, book recommendations, and many things in between. The Faguets are very responsive when it comes to addressing a need within the campus community...
Rabbi Bryan and Sondra are always available to give halachic advice and are very warm people. Rabbi Bryan leads a widely-attended weekly mishmar for students who are in college in the Valley... I love how I can call him from anything relating to a hashkafic issues to anti-missionary topics. A couple of months ago, there was a Jews vs. Jews for Jesus debate in the community. I made a quick phone call to Rabbi Bryan about participating in the event, and he agreed to get involved in a heartbeat.
What made you decide to choose a profession in the field of business and specifically real estate?
My father is an entrepreneur, and inspired me to get involved in business from a young age. I’ve always loved buying and selling merchandise, whether it was for my school magazine drive or selling lemonade on the corner during the summer. I was also always the little girl who wandered in and out of open houses on Sundays, and got excited when there was a new house being built on my block. The combination of these two passions led me to residential real estate. I will be starting a job with Jonathan Nash and Stephen Resnick of Hilton & Hyland this week.
Anything else you would like to add?
I want to extend my Hakarat Hatov to Rabbi and Sharona Kaplan for expanding the program in California.
Thank you for helping make a potentially difficult time into a fulfilling one. Thank you for providing us with not only inspiration, but also education.
I don’t think I’d be the Jew I am today without the guidance and warmth of the Faguets and the Borensteins.