Rav Shimon and Laura Vinger are excited to return to their southern roots to launch JLIC’s home at the University of Florida. While Laura grew up in Jacksonville and Shimon in Miami, their experience as Jewish community builders has an international flavor. The Vingers founded and ran NCSY South America together in Chile and Argentina. They were also founding members of Chile’s Morasha community kollel. From Chile, they headed to Los Angeles where Shimon served as the regional director of West Coast NCSY. Most recently, the Vingers and their 4 children called Toronto home, where Laura worked for Chai Lifeline and Shimon ran community organizations and worked in Cybersecurity. The Vingers were central members of the Toronto Jewish community’s volunteer security network where they studied Krav Maga for years.
Shimon learned at Yeshivat Darchei Noam, where he received his ordination, and prepared for their years of Jewish community education through the Ner L’Elef outreach training program. Shimon also holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas and a master’s degree in European history from American University.
Laura learned at Midreshet Rachel and the Ner L’Elef women’s program. She studied Poli Sci at the University of South Florida and Hebrew University. She holds an MBA from Touro.