Founded in 2008, J-Life is passionate in giving the gift of Jewish education to young Jews in a fun and meaningful way. Jews of all backgrounds and affiliations enjoy our programs around Chicago.

Weekly Classes: Our weekly classes and presentations are hosted in different locations throughout the city and the suburbs to foster the development of a deeper understanding of Jewish history, philosophy, and identity.
Social Events: J-Life organizes Shabbatons, alumni trips, and get-aways within the U.S. as well as thought provoking guest lectures given by outstanding Jewish educators.
Heritage Trips: J-Life has been leading fantastic trips to Israel each summer since 2008. Over the last several years we have expanded to running Jewish heritage trips in Prague, Vienna, Budapest and Poland.

At J-Life, we believe that an educated Jewish people is a powerful Jewish people.

Join us in making an amazing and vibrant community!

Meet the Team

Max & Irina Stesel

MAX AND IRINA STESEL

Founders and President

Max was born in Kiev and moved to Chicago with his family when he was 14. He was always interested in Jewish history and active in pro-Israeli causes. Max has an MBA from the University of Chicago and is Principal of Pritok Capital, a private equity group. Since his college years, Max has been involved in various organizations and initiatives focused on developing stronger Jewish identity among Chicago's Russian Jews. Max founded J-Life in 2005.
Irina was born in Kiev and came to Chicago when she was 12. While being a Hillel President in Loyola Irina realized the importance of teaching Jewish history and traditions to Russian Jews and organized first classes by Chicago's leading outreach Rabbis at Loyola University. Irina is also an experienced matchmaker on sawyouatstsinai.com She and her husband Max were intimately involved in the early stages of developing Heritage Synagogue for Russian Jews. In addition to hosting Jlife students for Shabbat meals, Irina coordiantes many logistical aspects of J-life’s operations.

Dan & Anya Alkhovsky

DANIEL AND ANYA ALKHOVKSY

Daniel is the Director of the DEEP (Developing Excellence in Educational Practice) High School District of the Chicago Jewish community schools. Dan holds a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin Madison in Secondary Education and Mathematics, and is pursuing a Masters in Educational Leadership.
Anya is a Senior Web Designer for the Interactive Marketing division of NMMA (National Marine Manufacturing Association), with a BFA from UIC. Anya loves travelling with the J-life participants and has staffed six trips so far! The Alkhovskys have been dedicated J-Life volunteers from its very inception. They are always ready to assist J-life’s efforts, whether it be travelling to Israel to help lead a trip, or hosting Shabbat and holiday meals in their warm and open home.

Yaakov & Shira Frankiel

YAAKOV AND SHIRA FRANKIEL

Director

Rabbi Yaakov Frankiel is J-Life’s newest addition! Rabbi Frankiel (pronounced Frank-ELL) hails from California and came to Chicago for the weather :-) . He juggles three passions of his life: his wife and kids; debating Jewish stuff with his buddies; and a great social scene. He brings 10 years of community-building experience from his work in Israel, Ohio, and Chicago. He'd love to have you over for a Shabbos meal!

Aryeh Zaslavsky

Outreach Liaison

Born in Volgograd, Russia, Rabbi Zaslavsky made Aliyah at 13 years old and studied at Berin LeZion in Beiter Illit. Alongside his studies, he trained and competed in krav maga. After graduating high school, he went to study Torah in Moscow in the Yeshiva Torat Chaim, established by Rabbi Yitzhak Zilber. After completing almost two years of his studies there, he moved back to Israel and joined the yeshiva Nahalat Leviim in Haifa. After getting married, he continued his studies in various kollels, including kollel Torat Zev led by Rabbi Boruch Soloveitchik, and Yeshivat Haran led by Rabbi Igal Polishchuk. The last few years he was teaching at the yeshiva Touray Zaav and the Internet program Beerot Isaac in addition to serving as an outreach liaison for J-life.