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 them to step into this role.
As Rabbi and Rebbetzin of JLIC at WashU, the Ashkanazys have been able to create enriching and meaningful Jewish experiences for the 120+ students that they work with at WashU. WashU is one of the top growing Jewish college communities in North America. The Ashkanazys have been lucky to help shape and guide this dynamic community, and support the students throughout their four years on campus.
Through coffee chats with students, providing pastoral counseling, leading shiurim, learning b’chavrutah with students, hosting shabbat meals and weekday programs in their home, collaborating with the students, and building deep and meaningful relationships, the job has been exciting, rewarding and impactful for them as individuals and for their family.
Kyra and Rav Shlomo are so excited for the upcoming year, to meet so many new faces, build meaningful relationships, open up their home, and grow together with the community.