Rav Shlomo and Kyra Ashkanazy are the founding Co-Directors of JLIC at Washington University in Saint Louis, Missouri and will be starting their fourth year on campus fall 2026 (along with their children, Adi and Immanuel).
Before their roles at JLIC, Kyra and Shlomo lived in Jerusalem. Shlomo worked as an Investor Relations Associate at Our Crowd, after completing his semicha at World Mizrachi and spending six years working and learning at Yeshiva Hakotel in Jerusalem’s Old City. Kyra worked as a fundraising Missions Manager at the Jewish Agency after finishing a Masters in Nonprofit management at Hebrew University. Community, Torah learning and teaching, cultivating an open home, and creating meaningful connections are values that are central to Kyra and Shlomo and which pushed... Read More
Crafts used in vision board making (ok, we didn't really count but its a lot)
Both Rav Shlomo and Kyra provide many outlets to ask questions, do one on one chavruta, and attend shiurim. I’ve learned a lot from them and they are crucial to ensuring I can keep a halachic life and really grow Jewishly.
They do A LOT of 1 on 1 chevrusa and sit downs with many students across the community, I think it makes a big impact.
The JLIC couple is a fantastic fantastic resource for Jewish students on campus. I’m so grateful to have them. Learning, Shabbat programming, evening activities and shiurim, etc are all enhanced by having them on campus. Additionally they’re just such wonderful people whom I trust — it’s wonderful to have them in my life.
Kyra and Shlomo have been such wonderful additions to the community. They make me feel at home and they make the community come closer. I'm so grateful for all they do.
I feel that the examples that the JLIC directors have set for us have helped me continue the trajectory of growth that I have been trying to maintain since leaving yeshiva.
The JLIC couple is always available to help, provide guidance, and learn with us. I think they have done a great job being there for us to help us reach better experiences on campus and achieve more Jewish growth.
Big fan of R. Shlomo & Kyra! They are very open to students taking strong leadership and playing a supporting role in upholding institutions, guidance and relationships.
The Ashkanazys are the most warm, open people- it seems to me that all they want to do is have relationships with us and make sure we are connected to our Judaism.
The JLIC directors give the feeling that you are not alone on campus ever. They are always in your corner. In addition to the learning initiatives and chaburot and chevrutot and shiurim, they both are open books, oozing with wisdom and experience and the maturity to help you with anything.
I think they are an incredible resource on campus for all kinds of advising and learning. I know that so many students go to JLIC for spiritual guidance, learning, wisdom, and to ask every kind of Jewish question :) They encourage and motivate us to learn and to ask hard questions and engage with religious texts!
It’s so encouraging and feels more relatable to see a frum couple. Not only do they help us see what a beautiful Jewish marriage can look like, they are the perfect leaders because they are closer to us both in age and in practice, and even more impactful.
JLIC has helped me navigate and solidify my Jewish practice in an ever-changing world. I owe them so much; without them, I don’t think my Judaism would be as strong and meaningful and Torah grounded.
Their weekly meals/ hosting of Suedas Shlishit has been so impactful, and being the community so much simcha and renew our emunah each week. Also, they have brought their life experiences and stories to us that have made religious lives feel tangible and impactful and cool and relevant! And all the things young people like to see :)
Rav Shlomo and Kyra Ashkanazy are brilliant, caring, kind, and inspiring leaders. They are a power couple. They both care so much about connecting with students and being amazing role models.
JLIC has significantly helped continue my learning on campus. I love going to their shiurim and learning events that they have hosted. Also they provide a warm environment for holidays and shabbatot that make students want to be involved.
The Ashkenazy's are the best!!!!!! We love them!! I feel so comfortable turning to either Rav Shlomo or Kyra with personal or religious questions. I know I can rely on them to listen to me and offer advice and wisdom. They are both clearly dedicated to our community and truly want the best for each individual. I am very grateful for them.
Both Rav Shlomo and Kyra provide many outlets to ask questions, do one on one chavruta, and attend shiurim. I’ve learned a lot from them and they are crucial to ensuring I can keep a halachic life and really grow Jewishly.
They do A LOT of 1 on 1 chevrusa and sit downs with many students across the community, I think it makes a big impact.
The JLIC couple is a fantastic fantastic resource for Jewish students on campus. I’m so grateful to have them. Learning, Shabbat programming, evening activities and shiurim, etc are all enhanced by having them on campus. Additionally they’re just such wonderful people whom I trust — it’s wonderful to have them in my life.
Kyra and Shlomo have been such wonderful additions to the community. They make me feel at home and they make the community come closer. I'm so grateful for all they do.
I feel that the examples that the JLIC directors have set for us have helped me continue the trajectory of growth that I have been trying to maintain since leaving yeshiva.
The JLIC couple is always available to help, provide guidance, and learn with us. I think they have done a great job being there for us to help us reach better experiences on campus and achieve more Jewish growth.
Big fan of R. Shlomo & Kyra! They are very open to students taking strong leadership and playing a supporting role in upholding institutions, guidance and relationships.
The Ashkanazys are the most warm, open people- it seems to me that all they want to do is have relationships with us and make sure we are connected to our Judaism.
The JLIC directors give the feeling that you are not alone on campus ever. They are always in your corner. In addition to the learning initiatives and chaburot and chevrutot and shiurim, they both are open books, oozing with wisdom and experience and the maturity to help you with anything.
I think they are an incredible resource on campus for all kinds of advising and learning. I know that so many students go to JLIC for spiritual guidance, learning, wisdom, and to ask every kind of Jewish question :) They encourage and motivate us to learn and to ask hard questions and engage with religious texts!
It’s so encouraging and feels more relatable to see a frum couple. Not only do they help us see what a beautiful Jewish marriage can look like, they are the perfect leaders because they are closer to us both in age and in practice, and even more impactful.
JLIC has helped me navigate and solidify my Jewish practice in an ever-changing world. I owe them so much; without them, I don’t think my Judaism would be as strong and meaningful and Torah grounded.
Their weekly meals/ hosting of Suedas Shlishit has been so impactful, and being the community so much simcha and renew our emunah each week. Also, they have brought their life experiences and stories to us that have made religious lives feel tangible and impactful and cool and relevant! And all the things young people like to see :)
Rav Shlomo and Kyra Ashkanazy are brilliant, caring, kind, and inspiring leaders. They are a power couple. They both care so much about connecting with students and being amazing role models.
JLIC has significantly helped continue my learning on campus. I love going to their shiurim and learning events that they have hosted. Also they provide a warm environment for holidays and shabbatot that make students want to be involved.
The Ashkenazy's are the best!!!!!! We love them!! I feel so comfortable turning to either Rav Shlomo or Kyra with personal or religious questions. I know I can rely on them to listen to me and offer advice and wisdom. They are both clearly dedicated to our community and truly want the best for each individual. I am very grateful for them.
