JLE THRIVES ONLINE
Lock-down during Corona has not meant Lock-out for the JLE, which is seeing unprecedented numbers of people logging on to their online programmes during Covid-19. In fact, with over *50,000 viewers clicking weekly into their lectures, classes and virtual “events” (including a live JLadies Challah bake), it is clear that Jews around the globe are tuning into London’s JLE both for inspiration and a sense of community.
JLE’s Chief Executive, Rabbi Benjy Morgan, feels that the JLE’s multifaceted approach allows it to take a lead role: “We are seeing such unprecedented numbers because we are much more than just an educational website. We have successfully recreated the JLE community digitally.”
An example of the new JLE online, is the Rabbis Unscripted Show, a weekly combination of International guests with a powerful message, deeper Jewish ideas, and light entertainment, hosted by Rabbi Morgan and Rabbi Cowan. Over 10,000 people watch the entire broadcast on Thursday nights and recent guests include Judge Ruchie Freier, America’s first female Hasidic civil court Judge, who described her ground-breaking career and commented on the portrayal of Hasidic women in the Netflix show “Unorthodox”, as well as Hollywood’s Disney Director Saul Blinkoff and Universal Studios Platinum-selling singer Shulem Lemmer.
The demand for musical inspiration has also found expression in another hugely popular initiative; Havadallah Live with Rabbi Morgan and his family which has seen over half a million viewers since its inception from China to Chile.
Naturally, the JLE’s reputation for first class education has also been unaffected by the lockdown, with thousands worldwide joining eminent lecturer and medical expert, Rabbi Dr Akiva Tatz for his lectures and webinars each week, as well as Rabbi Aubrey Hersh’s history series: Jewish Cities under Siege. Added to that are the 300 people who have signed up to the JLE’s weekly online 1-2-1 learning, and it becomes clear that the JLE is not just surviving, but actually thriving
Rabbi Morgan added: “We take our role as service providers to the community at this challenging time seriously, both educationally and socially. We are also very proud that in the weeks before Pesach our volunteers sent out Seder packs to NHS doctors and nurses across the UK, so they could be used over Pesach when these key workers were so stretched.”
“The nature of these unique times calls for constant planning and innovation, with each month viewed as an entirely new term. May 2020 looks set to be our busiest month yet as we gear up to be there for the community, to support, educate and inspire in these challenging times. *FIGURES INDEpENDENTLy VERIfiED By FACEBOOk DATA ANALyTICS 04.05.20