Campus and Young Adult Engagement

tyle="margin:0 0 1.1em 0;font-size:18px;line-height:1.75;color:#171717">JIMENA was born on a college campus. In 2002, former Jewish refugees from Libya and Egypt shared their personal stories at a rally at San Francisco State University, and the response led to the founding of JIMENA. Ever since, sharing these stories with young people has been at the heart of our work.

On campus, we bring speakers and programs to Jewish students and train the professionals who support them. Beyond campus, we build community for young Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews and develop the next generation of communal leaders.

Since 2002 sharing the stories of Jews from the Middle East and North Africa with students

80+ universities across North America where our speakers have shared their stories

80% of Los Angeles Emerging Leaders graduates have moved into leadership roles

Mizrahi Heritage Month

A national moment, started by JIMENA

In 2014, Israel designated November 30 as a national day to remember the departure and expulsion of Jews from Arab countries and Iran. JIMENA built on that recognition to create Mizrahi Heritage Month each November, bringing speakers to college campuses nationwide. Today we continue to serve as a resource for Hillels, schools, synagogues, and Jewish institutions seeking speakers, content, and support to create their own Sephardic and Mizrahi heritage month programs. Learn more about Mizrahi Heritage Month.

On campus

Supporting Jewish students and campus professionals

• Speakers and programs. JIMENA speakers, including Jews who were born in the Middle East and North Africa and their descendants, share their history and stories with Hillels and Jewish student groups, from UC Berkeley to UC Irvine.
• Training for campus professionals. Our Sephardic Leaders Fellowship Campus Professionals cohort brought together Hillel and campus staff from UCLA, USC, UC Berkeley, Cornell, Penn State, and more to strengthen their leadership and their ability to respond to today's campus climate.
• Support in difficult times. After October 7, 2023, JIMENA ran support groups for college students and campus professionals, and we continue to connect students and staff with mental health resources when they need them.

Young adults

Building community and leadership

• Emerging Leaders cohorts. Our fellowship for Sephardic and Mizrahi young adults ages 20 to 35 offers leadership development, coaching, and learning for those entering communal careers or lay leadership. Cohorts have met in Los Angeles and New York.
• Shabbat and holidays. Young professionals gather for monthly Sephardic Shabbat dinners in San Francisco, and celebrate together at festive programs like our annual Mimouna, the North African celebration marking the end of Passover.
• Culture and connection. Henna celebrations, cooking classes, film screenings, concerts, and conversations that bring Sephardic and Mizrahi culture to life for a new generation.

Get involved

Ways to connect

• Students and Hillels: Book a speaker or plan a Mizrahi Heritage Month program with us.
• Campus professionals: Bring a JIMENA training to your staff or join a future fellowship cohort.
• Young adults: Find an upcoming event, apply for an Emerging Leaders cohort, or volunteer with JIMENA.