About JEEP
Each one is precious.
JEEP! Jewish Education for Every Person was founded in 2005 by Rabbi Yaakov Karp, based on the belief that every Jewish person is precious and deserves access to a Jewish life.
The treasure in every Jew
The Baal Shem Tov taught that the greatest treasures lie hidden in every Jew. JEEP looks for that treasure in people the community can easily miss: seniors in non-Jewish nursing homes, patients in hospitals and psychiatric units, people in recovery, children who struggle, and adults with disabilities.
JEEP is the only local Jewish organization whose sole purpose is to help disenfranchised members of our Jewish community gain access to Jewish experiences and life. We find that such access can help people meet their daily challenges and become happier, more successful members of our community.
“I tried to focus on the jewel beneath the temper and illness and to build a friendship.”
Rabbi Yaakov Karp, Headlights, Spring 2021
Our vision
A Jewish community in which every person has access to our spiritual inheritance and can use it to reach their full potential.
Our mission
To help local individuals with challenges or different abilities access Jewish education and connections to empower them to overcome their life challenges.
Who we serve
Children, youth and adults who have learning differences, and people who are in hospitals, live in senior care facilities, or face substance abuse or similar challenges.
Today JEEP helps about 1,000 Jewish people a year. Hundreds, if not thousands, more remain outside of Jewish communal life because of the difficulties they have met along the way.
Since 2005
- 2005 Rabbi Yaakov Karp founds JEEP.
- 2012 JEEP’s chaplains make about 850 hospital visits in the year.
- 2014 JEEP dedicates its building on Section Road, the Arthur Schreiber Jewish Education Center, on June 8.
- Purim 2014 Ten volunteer groups bring 19 Megillah readings to 20 locations.
- Passover 2021 JEEP plans 80 Seder meals for isolated seniors and delivers 127.
- 2024 Matching donors triple every gift.
- Today About 1,000 people a year.
Founder and Executive Director
Rabbi Yaakov Karp
Rabbi Karp received his Bachelor of Religion degree from the Rabbinical College of America in Morristown, New Jersey, in 1980, and his rabbinic ordination from United Lubavitcher Yeshiva in Brooklyn, New York, in 1982.
He taught in Jewish day schools in South Bend, Boston and Cincinnati before he gave himself full-time to Jewish seniors, children, adults and people with different abilities.
Our team
- Rabbi Yaakov Karp, founder and executive director
- Rabbi Levi Fuss, JEEP chaplain
- Rabbi Yitzchok Lifshitz
- Miriam Karp, writer and art teacher, and a longtime voice of Headlights
Volunteers are always welcome, and they are a critical part of our team.
JEEP is an independent 501(c)(3) organization and is not affiliated with any other local or national organization.
Headlights
Our magazine, published three times a year. About 4,000 copies go to homes, senior facilities, hospitals, synagogues and Jewish institutions.
Read past issues →
The JEEP film
Eleven minutes in hospital rooms, care homes, a recovery community and Halom House.
Watch the film →
Visit
“…ever since I’ve been coming back to visit, and he’s very grateful for the company.” — Elissa Sanders, JEEP volunteer
Learn
Classes all week long, by phone, on Zoom and in person. Beginners are welcome at every one.
Leave a legacy
Join the Legacy Circle through Create Your Jewish Legacy, and keep the search going for tomorrow.