While many donors elect to establish funds for a specific agency or purpose, others have provided funds for competitive grant and scholarship opportunities.

Grants
NEW!
2010 Western Massachusetts Jewish Community Grants
The Jewish Endowment Foundation is excited to announce the availability of $52,500 for the 2010 Western Massachusetts Jewish Community Grant Program (formerly the Unrestricted Grant Making Program). The JEF is pleased to make these grants available to Jewish organizations in the Pioneer Valley in order to enhance Jewish life in Western Massachusetts. The deadline for applications is 3:00 pm on Friday, June 18, 2010. For information regarding eligibility, or to request the guidelines and application, please contact Michelle Lancto, Endowment Associate, at 413-732-9994 or mlancto@jewishwesternmass.org.

Anna P. Housen Fund to Benefit Israel
Funding for programs that will benefit Israel (preference is given to organizations in our sister city of Afula) and for programs that benefit/promote Israel and build a stronger connection between our community and Israel. Application is by invitation only. Award recipients for fiscal year 2009-2010 include ENP: Atidim Project; Emunah Herzog Center -Teens at Risk Program; WIZO, Adisia Project and the Anna P. Housen Israel Desk. 

NEFESH: Nurturing the Feminine Spirit of Hope Fund
Provides funding to support the following types of activities: speakers on health, financial, or cultural concerns of interest to Jewish women; programs and projects of concern to the Jewish home and family; support for Jewish women in crisis; and support for Jewish women wishing to enhance their Jewish knowledge through conferences or study. This fund is not accepting applications at this time. A grant has recently been awarded to Jewish Family Service of Western Massachusetts to support Rosh Hodesh: It's a Girl Thing! a nationally acclaimed Jewish program for pre-teen and teenage girls. For more information on this program contact JewishLife@jfswm.org or call 413-737-2601.

Please note that the scholarship deadline for 2010 has passed. Applications for scholarships will be available in January 2011 for the 2011-12 academic year.

College Scholarships
The Springfield Council of Jewish Women Scholarship Funds
The National Council of Jewish Women, Springfield Section, established its first scholarship fund in 1943.  In 1992, the Springfield Council of Jewish Women transferred their funds to the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Western Massachusetts.  The Springfield Council of Jewish Women Scholarship Fund of the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Western Massachusetts scholarships are available to all qualified students regardless of race, religion, or gender.  Applicants must be residents of Springfield, East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Wilbraham, Hampden, Agawam or West Springfield.  Scholarship recipients are chosen based on a combination of academic performance, financial need, and community involvement.  There is a limit of one scholarship per family in an academic year.  An interview is required.  In 2009, 35 awards totalling $37,500 were made.

JEF Common Fund Scholarships (College, Graduate or Judaic Studies)
Blanche Alport Memorial Scholarship Fund for Judaic Studies
Libby Behar and family established this fund in memory of her sister for college students studying in Israel.  Preference is given to students attending Hebrew University. 

Lloyd Bardach B'nai B'rith Scholarship Fund
Transferred to the Jewish Endowment Foundation from the local B'nai B'rith Chapter, the fund was established to provide college scholarships to local Jewish students.  Applications will be accepted from any Jewish resident of the greater Springfield community attending a four-year undergraduate program, or a two-year program with transfer to a four-year program. 

Cantor Kalman Chaitovsky Memorial Scholarship Fund
Established by the friends and family of the Chaitovskys, scholarships are awarded to students continuing their Jewish education in secondary schools and undergraduate studies.  

Maurice Kurn Memorial Fund
Originally established as the Maurice Kurn Foundation of the Jewish Community Center Council in 1965, this fund was transferred to the Jewish Endowment Foundation to primarily support individuals seeking advanced degrees in the field of Jewish communal service.  Preference will be given to applicants who have demonstrated interest and/or commitments to serving the Jewish community in Springfield and the surrounding communities. 

Max, Francis and David Neigher Scholarship Fund
Established by David Neigher in memory of his parents, this fund provides one college scholarship annually to a student of Jewish faith who has graduated from a high school in Springfield, Longmeadow, East Longmeadow, Hampden or Wilbraham, Massachusetts.  Applicants shall be studying for a first bachelor's degreem which may include an associate's degree program with intent to transfer to a four-year college.  Applicants shall be considered on the basis of financial need, experience as a volunteer or other evidence of community service, significant participation in school activities and events, and above average scholastic achievement.  This fund is not accepting applications this year.

Jeffrey A. Parish Fund for Study in Israel
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Parish established this fund in memory of their son, Jeffrey A. Parish.  The fund is available for undergraduate or graduate study in Israel, with preference given to graduate students.  Applicants must live in the Pioneer Valley.  Awards are based on potential for future Jewish leadership, academic achievement and need.  A letter of reference from either a Hebrew or Judaic studies teacher, leader in the Jewish community or a Rabbi is required. 

Aaron Posnik Family Fund
This fund was established by the Posnik grandchildren to provide college scholarships to local Jewish students in the greater Springfield community who demonstrates excellence and achievement in athletics.  Undergraduate applicants in a four-year program or a two-year program with transfer to a four-year program will be considered.  Applications for advanced degrees will be considered if an award recipient is not selected from an undergraduate program.  Ideal applicants should demonstrate a continuing desire towards attaining a higher level of knowledge and the ability to moderate that with achievement in any athletic endeavor.  In your PERSONAL STATEMENT please provide a list of your academic achievements, athletic involvements, awards or citations, as well as your future plans, career goals and any other remarks.  Use additional pages if necessary.  The scholarship is also available for Jewish youth accepted to participate in the Maccabiah games. 

Israel Scholarship Program
For local students participating on an Israel educational tour, studying in Israel or local students participating in March of the Living Program.  The application will be for awards from the following funds:
- Melvin and Florence Lavin Fund for Israel Travel
- Totsy Foundation March of the Living Fund
- Jody Berg Memorial Fund
- Nathan & Joan Libby Jewish Education Fund
- Lillian and Phillip Bessoff Simcha Restricted Fund
- Hebrew Education, Culture and Israel Scholarship Fund
- Irving and Mollie Merrill Scholarship Fund -- this fund is open to teen or young adult congregants of Congregation B'nai Torah, Temple Beth El or Sinai Temple who wish to pursue their Jewish education in Israel.

For additional information on any of the above programs, please contact Michelle Lancto, Endowment Associate, at 413-732-9994 or via email at mlancto@jewishwesternmass.org.

For other scholarship opportunities, visit www.fastweb.com.