Justin Yehuda (Class of 2019)

When Justin Yehuda (Class of 2019) launched Iron Dome Coffee in 2024, he wasn’t just looking to disrupt the beverage industry. He was looking to build a movement. Born out of a deep sense of purpose following the events of October 7th, Justin traded a comfortable corporate career for the rigors of entrepreneurship. Today, his brand is one of the fastest-growing pro-Israel businesses in America, recently surpassing 10,000 orders. For Justin, the mission is personal: the company sources premium beans from South America and proudly donates 18% of its profits to organizations like Belev Echad and Magen David Adom, which provide critical care for wounded Israeli soldiers and civilians.

The foundation for this venture was laid years ago during his time at Schechter Westchester. Justintraces his inspiration directly back to his senior Lev v'Nefesh journey in Poland, an experience he says "planted the seeds" for his commitment to Jewish pride. Guided by Rabbi Pell, Justin began to view his identity through a lens of historical responsibility and urgency. He also credits his eleventh-grade physics teacher, Ms. Wigodsky, for instilling in him a macro perspective on the world. “Physics taught me to search for truth and to respond to reality as it is, not as we wish it to be.” Justin now applies this mindset daily as he navigates the complexities of digital marketing and global logistics.

At the heart of Iron Dome Coffee is the concept of kehilah (community), a value Justin says was "repeated endlessly" during his time at Schechter Westchester. While he admits he might have occasionally rolled his eyes at the term as a student, he now sees it as the backbone of his professional success. He is intentionally building a digital kehilah of coffee drinkers who want their daily habits to reflect their values. By leveraging modern tools like AI and social media, Justin is proving that activism through entrepreneurship is a powerful way for the next generation to make a tangible impact.

Justin’s advice for current students is a call to authenticity: "The status quo controls you when you fail to discover yourself." He encourages current Leffell students to seek novelty and have the courage to pursue meaningful futures, even if they go off the beaten path. Reflecting on his journey from our science labs to the helm of a thriving business, Justin is a testament to the lasting influence of a Schechter/Leffell education. As he puts it, "You’ll look back and appreciate how much effort they put into shaping you into a thoughtful, respectable human being."