About Us

A Jewish home for every student on Long Island

Our story, our mission, and the people building this community every day.

Our Story

Founded on an open door and a Shabbat table

placeholder history Olami Long Island began in [Year] when Rabbi Motti and his wife Naama opened their home to a handful of students for Friday night dinner. What started as a single Shabbat table has grown into a full community reaching hundreds of students and young professionals across Long Island's colleges and universities each year.

As part of the international Olami network — which connects Jewish young adults to their heritage in over 30 countries — we combine local, relationship-driven programming with the resources and reach of a global movement.

Photo: early Shabbat dinner or founding moment
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What We Believe

Our Values

Radical Warmth

No one is too unaffiliated, too skeptical, or too "unaffiliated" to belong at our table. Every relationship starts with acceptance, not expectation.

Serious Learning

We take Jewish text and ideas seriously — approaching questions of meaning, identity, and tradition with intellectual honesty.

Lifelong Relationships

Our programs are a starting point, not a transaction. We invest in students for years, not semesters.

Leadership

Meet Our Team

Rabbi Motti Antelis

Executive Director & Founder

placeholder bio Leads Olami Long Island's learning and Shabbat programming and serves as the community's primary mentor and teacher.

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Naama Antelis

Program & Community Director

placeholder bio Oversees Shabbat hospitality, women's programming, and campus event logistics.

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[Staff/Fellow Name]

Campus Engagement Fellow

placeholder bio Builds relationships with students on campus and coordinates the peer mentorship program.

Our Board

Guided by dedicated lay leadership

Olami Long Island is governed by a volunteer board of Long Island community members committed to Jewish continuity and student engagement. Board list TBD — add board member names/titles here.