The Jewish Scholarship Initiative (JSI) provides scholarships for area day schools, synagogue schools, Jewish preschools and camps.

Thanks to a generous donor in our community, last year JSI distributed $87,000 in local scholarships. Scholarships are need-based and are for Jewish households residing in Greater New Haven. Qualifying schools include Southern Connecticut Hebrew Academy, Ezra Academy and Bais David Yeshiva of New Haven. Qualifying Jewish camps include Camp Laurelwood, JCC Camp, Camp Gan Israel and local synagogue camps. Qualifying Jewish preschools include local synagogue preschools JCC Yeladim and Southern Connecticut Hebrew Academy. All local synagogue religious schools are included as well. The deadline for camp scholarships is May 5, and for day schools and preschools is July 14. The synagogue school deadline will be in the late summer and will be announced on the website and to the synagogues. All applications are confidential and anonymously reviewed by a scholarship committee. Go to www.jewishnewhaven.org/scholarships for the application, more information and to see the catchment area.

 

Stuart J. Drell Scholarship Fund—College Scholarships for High School Seniors who are Congregation B’nai Jacob Members

Renee Drell and her daughters Elana, Jordana and Marissa established a fund to honor their beloved late husband and father, Stuart J. Drell. The fund was established in 2001 at Congregation Beth Israel in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. When Renee Drell relocated to Connecticut, she transferred the fund to the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven and it now awards scholarships to high school seniors headed off to college. Awards are $1,000, and applicants must be members of Congregation B’nai Jacob and entering their freshman year of college. Applications require an essay and the deadline for applications is May 17, 2017, with awards announced in June. All applications are confidential and anonymously reviewed by the Drell family. Go to www.jewishnewhaven.org/scholarships for an application and more information.

 

Emma Kohn Podoloff Scholarship Fund of the National Council of Jewish Women’s Greater New Haven Section-College Scholarships for High School Seniors 

The Emma Kohn Podoloff Scholarship Fund of the National Council of Jewish Women’s Greater New Haven Section is designed to assist Jewish high school seniors to advance their scholastic and vocational education. The average award is $1,500. Applicants must have resided in the Greater New Haven area for at least one year prior to the application date. The application includes an essay and three recommendations. The deadline for the application is May 31, 2017. The awards are granted in June. All applications are confidential and anonymously reviewed by the Podoloff scholarship committee. Go to www.jewishnewhaven.org/scholarships for an application and more information.

 

Israel Experience Scholarships 

The Jewish Foundation Israel Experience Scholarship Program enables local Jewish students ages 14-19 the opportunity to participate in an Israel experience to develop and enrich their Jewish education and reinforce their Jewish identity. The Jewish Foundation provides scholarships for both short-term (minimum of three weeks program) and long-term organized Israel educational programs. Greater New Haven youth ages 14-19 are eligible. For 2017 summer trips, applications are due by March 7, 2017. For the 2017-2018 gap or academic year programs, applications are due by May 2, 2017. An essay and two recommendations are required. All applications are confidential and anonymously reviewed by the Israel Experience Scholarship committee. Go to www. jewishnewhaven.org/scholarships for more information, a list of qualifying programs and application requirements.