Jad Lenoar
One mission. Three cities. Countless lives changed
Jad Lenoar is a Jewish youth organization dedicated to guiding young people through emotional, spiritual, and social challenges,
About Us
Jad Lenoar was founded on a single belief:
Every Jewish young person deserves to be seen, supported, and empowered.
What began as a small initiative in Zurich has evolved into an international organization serving communities in Switzerland and Gibraltar. Our multidisciplinary teams provide professional support rooted in empathy, Jewish identity, and unconditional acceptance meeting youth where they are and walking alongside them through their challenges.
Our Three Core Pillars
- Emotional & Psychological Health - We offer discreet, compassionate support for youth navigating mental health challenges, trauma, addiction, and emotional instability.
- Safe Spaces & Belonging - We create warm, welcoming environments where young people feel safe, accepted, and are free to be themselves - emotionally, socially, and culturally.
- Personal Growth, Jewish Pride & Identity - Through mentorship and meaningful engagement, we help the youth explore their values, and develop an authentic and empowered Jewish identity.
Team
Our team is made up of passionate, discreet, and highly trained professionals — including therapists, mentors, educators, and community builders — who are deeply committed to the wellbeing of Jewish youth. Whether working on the ground in Zurich or Gibraltar, our staff and volunteers bring a unique blend of warmth, professionalism, and lived experience.
Leadership
- Meir Schlammé – Founder & CEO - Founder of Jad Lenoar and the driving force behind its mission. Meir is known for his tireless dedication, hands-on leadership, and deep connection to each individual under his care.
- Mirjam Gurt – Director of Girls’ Program - Miriam leads the girls’ division with compassion, professionalism, and years of experience supporting youth in crisis.
Swiss Board Members
- Zvi Holles – Leading businessman and active communal supporter
- Arye Altmann – Real estate entrepreneur and longtime youth advocate
- Batia Licht – Esteemed Swiss psychotherapist and mental health advocate
Gibraltar Board Members
- Dani Benaim – Lawyer and legal advisor
- Ronny Pifko – Community leader and supporter
- Dr Samuel Ibgui – Doctor and Community Activist
Rabbinical Advisory Board
- Rabbi Levy – Rabbi of Zurich
- Rabbi H.M. Padwa – Hassidic Rabbi of Zurich
- Rabbi Hassid – Gibraltar Based Senior rabbinical advisor
- Rabbi Tzvi Shmuel Levy – Chief Rabbi of Gibraltar
Therapeutic Team
- Dr. Stark – Licensed clinical psychiatrist
- Dr. Olszewski – Renowned International Psychiatrist
- Dr Batia Licht – Swiss psychotherapist (also Board Member)
- Dr Marco Aronowitz - Psychiatrist
Spiritual Leader
- Rabbi Shimon Rechnitzer – In-house Rabbi and spiritual mentor, known for his empathy, wisdom, and deep understanding of struggling youth
Mentorship Team
- Gabriel Zoladz – Mentor & coach
- Ari Kesselman – Youth mentor & educator
- A.J. Holles – Mentor & peer leader
- Zev Bloom – Peer leader
- Moshe Bijoui – Mentor
Operations & Admin
- Nafti Hallonbrenner – Finance & accountancy
- Yehoinoson Bennett – Project Coordinator
- Nissem Hassid – Administration & logistics
“We don’t just work with youth — we believe in them.”
Our Impact at a Glance
From 6 boys in 2014 to 171 youth in 2025
- 2014: 6 Youth
- 2020: 24 Youth
- 2023: 128 Youth
- 2025: 171 Youth
Real-Life Outcomes
- 38 referred to therapy or psychiatric care
- 14 entered rehab programs
- 17 provided safe housing
- 36 received meals, rent, or clothing help
- 21 re-integrated into education
- 27 placed in jobs or apprenticeships
- 42 engaged in mentorship & Torah learning
- 11 reconnected with family or community
- 100% received personalized, compassionate care
What we offer:
Mental & Emotional Health
Mental health struggles are often invisible — but deeply felt. Many of the young people we serve are battling anxiety, depression, emotional instability, or past trauma. Others face addiction, obsessive thoughts, or chronic stress.
We create a safe, shame-free space to talk, be heard, and begin to heal — without judgment.
We offer:
- One-on-one emotional support and crisis response
- Referrals to licensed therapists and professionals
- Early intervention and addiction prevention
- Support for compulsive behaviours and substance misuse
- Peer support and mentorship in a calm, trusted setting
Jewish Identity & Belonging
Many youth feel disconnected from the religious structures they grew up in. Our approach is not to pressure, but to welcome. In both Switzerland and Gibraltar, we’ve created spaces rooted in Jewish values, where learning is sincere, flexible, and uplifting.
We offer:
- A warm, synagogue environment
- Daily Prayers in a calm setting
- Weekly Lectures and deep roundtable discussions
- Guidance from a non-judgmental in-house Rabbi
- A place to rebuild Jewish identity at their own pace
Practical & Day-to-Day Support
Stability is about more than talk — it’s about structure, support, and basic needs being met. We help youth build real lives with dignity and direction.
We offer:
- Job placement, skill-building, and career coaching
- Weekly fitness classes and creative outlets (music, singing, cooking)
- In-house dormitories and rent assistance
- Meals, clothing, and essentials for those in crisis
- Help youth reconnecting with family, community, and healthy peer groups
Our Safe Spaces
Our five locations we occupy are designed to feel like home — welcoming, respectful, and safe. Whether it’s for learning, relaxing, or rebuilding, our centres provide comfort, community, and structure.
Our locations include:
- Synagogue-integrated centre (Zurich)
- Music and games lounge with a kitchen and gym (Zurich)
- Girls-only centre for full emotional ease (Zurich)
- Residential dormitories (Zurich)
- A newly acquired penthouse/dorm space in Gibraltar
«The most beautiful part is watching the boys be there for each other — lifting, guiding, and truly counting on one another. In both Switzerland and Gibraltar, they don’t just share a space — they share a bond.»
Meir Schlammé
Prevention
At Jad Lenoar, we believe that early intervention saves lives. Many of the youth we support are not yet in crisis but they’re standing at the edge. Through open conversation, trusted mentorship, and real education, we help them build resilience before things spiral. Our prevention work is consistent, and deeply human. It starts by creating a space where struggles can be spoken about without shame.
We focus on prevention through:
- Honest, stigma-free discussions around mental health and addiction
- Roundtable conversations with trained professionals
- Early education on substances, gambling, and digital dangers
- Guidance on pornography, screen addiction, and online overexposure
- Promoting healthy alternatives: music, fitness, learning, work, and social connection
This isn’t about rules — it’s about giving young people the tools, structure, and emotional safety they need to make better choices, long before they reach a breaking point.
Switzerland
Our original branch in Zurich supports youth facing emotional, spiritual, and social challenges within the local Jewish community. With a discreet, experienced team and a strong sense of trust, the Switzerland program offers mentoring, therapy referrals, Torah learning, and full wraparound support in a calm, respectful setting.
Gibraltar
Our Gibraltar team brings Jad Lenoar to a new region, offering professional support for young people in crisis or at risk. With a focus on addiction prevention, emotional recovery, and identity-building, the program provides structure, community, and a deeply caring environment for youth in Gibraltar and nearby areas.
Israel
Jad Lenoar Israel is a new and growing initiative supporting young men as they navigate key stages of independence, from starting university to entering the workplace and adult life. Through small, informal weekly meet-ups in a relaxed setting, participants connect, share, and gain encouragement in a supportive peer environment.
While still in its very early stages, the program is built on strong foundations and clear intent: to create meaningful connection, structure, and support for young men who benefit from community and guidance. With time, we believe this initiative has the potential to grow into something impactful and far-reaching.
Support Us
Jad Lenoar’s overall operating budget for the coming year is projected at CHF 1 million, split approximately 60% for Zurich and 40% for Gibraltar — excluding special activities and one-time setup costs. We are currently seeking to raise CHF 1 million between September 2025 and June 2026 to sustain and strengthen our core programs across both locations. Your support helps us stand by the youth who need us most.
Jad Lenoar is entirely donor-funded. Every gift allows us to offer discreet, professional care to young people facing emotional pain, identity struggles, and real-life instability. From mental health support to addiction recovery, from warm meals to safe dormitories — your partnership makes it possible.
Whether you’re a private donor, a foundation, or someone who’s been touched by our work — thank you for standing with us.
“Whoever saves a single Jewish life in is considered as if he saved an entire world.”
— The Talmud, Sanhedrin 37a
Meaningful Quotes
«I used to cry myself to sleep every night, not knowing if my son would even come home. Today, I cry tears of gratitude, because he smiles again, and I have Jad Lenoar to thank for that»
A Mother
«We had tried everything. Nothing worked until Jad Lenoar stepped in. They didn’t just save my son. They gave me my child back»
A Mother
«As a clinician, I rarely see a space where compassion, structure, and healing come together so naturally. Jad Lenoar is that rare place where true transformation happens»
A member’s psychologist
«I was in deep despair. No one even saw me. Jad Lenoar didn’t just see me — they saved me. I’m alive today because of them»
A Boy
«I came to Jad Lenoar broken and silent. For the first time, someone listened—really listened. They gave me space to heal, to rediscover who I am, and to believe in my future. I owe them my life»
Anonymous Participant