Recognitions, Awards, Scholarships, and More
Jewish for Good has a number of awards and contests that take place throughout the year. Explore the links below to find out more details about each award.
In Memoriam
Jewish for Good remembers those in our community who have passed. View our In Memoriam page.
Scholarships
Israel Experience Scholarship
Jewish for Good encourages high school students to visit Israel through a limited number of scholarships for students who wish to participate in summer or year-long programs. Interested students, whose parents are contributing members to Jewish for Good, may apply to the Israel Scholarship Committee. Applicants who have not previously visited Israel are given preference.
The Israel Scholarship Program is funded by the Sara and E.J. Evans Israel Experience Endowment.
If you are interested in helping to support this program, you can send donations or tribute gifts to The Sara & E.J. Evans Israel Experience Scholarship Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Please complete this application to apply.
Siegel Leadership Development Scholarship
The goal of the Earl & Gladys Siegel Leadership Development Scholarships is to provide financial assistance to assist local Jewish community members in attending/participating in professional development that will enhance their leadership skills when serving the Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish community.
The application process is by invitation only and takes place each summer with an August 30 due date. Award recipients are recognized at our Annual Meeting.
Social Justice Scholarship
Changing the World–One Experience at a Time. One of our core values is Tikkun Olam (repairing the world). The Nancy Gordon Social Justice Fund was established to provide scholarships to teens and young adults up to age 25, to travel locally or abroad to Israel to participate in a social justice-focused program. If you are interested in helping to support this program, you can send donations or tribute gifts to: The Nancy Gordon Social Justice Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. To apply please click here.
The Ma’aser Fund: Matching Donations of Young Philanthropists
The Ma’aser Fund was established in 2005 by an anonymous donor to encourage and enhance philanthropy by young donors in our community. “Ma’aser” means “tenth.” It reflects the tithing of one-tenth of one’s income for charity. The purpose of the Ma’aser Fund is to make young donors more powerful and to encourage them to develop the habit of giving. To this end, the Fund will match qualifying contributions from students after their Bar or Bat Mitzvahs and continuing for a year after high school graduation.
To qualify for matching donations from the Ma’aser Fund, the young philanthropist must commit to donating one-tenth of the money received as Bar and Bat Mitzvah presents to one or more recognized charities of the student’s choosing. The student must also commit to donating one-tenth of earned income and allowance to any charity or charities each year through the first post-high school year, up to a maximum of $1,000.
There is no minimum amount per donation, but to be matched by the Fund the donation must be at least $100. The amount donated by each young philanthropist will vary, depending on the amount each one receives in gifts and in income.
There is no maximum per donation, although there is a maximum total amount of $1,000 matched per student. That amount can be attained in one donation or many donations.
The donation must be certified in one of two ways. The young philanthropist may present evidence of the donation to the rabbi or congregational president, or the charity may notify the Foundation of the donation and request the matching donation.
The young philanthropist will sign a pledge during the Bar/Bat Mitzvah year. Fulfillment of the commitment is on the “honor system.”
For more information, contact us at foundation@jewishforgood.org.
Download a Participation Pledge form.
Download a Certification of Contribution Form.
Honors and Awards
Earl & Gladys Siegel Young Leadership Award
The Earl & Gladys Siegel Young Leadership Award recognizes an individual who has made special contributions to the vitality and future of Jewish for Good. The recipient(s) must be younger than 45 years old; shall have demonstrated strong leadership capabilities; have been involved with Jewish for Good for at least three consecutive years; have demonstrated leadership abilities within several different Jewish community organizations; and have been active in at least one Annual Campaign (as a contributor, solicitor, etc.). The past three years’ award recipients work together with the CEO to select the annual recipient of this award.
Nominations are accepted through July 31 annually. Award recipients are recognized at our Annual Meeting.
Excellence in Jewish Education Award
Each year we are thrilled to honor an outstanding Jewish educator in our local Jewish community. Award recipients demonstrate strong pedagogical skills while embracing the teaching of Jewish values and content, and Hebrew. For more information or to nominate an excellent Jewish educator, contact Jill Madsen at jmadsen@jewishforgood.org. The selection process for this award takes place each spring and award recipients are recognized at our Annual Meeting.
Nominations are accepted through July 31 annually. Award recipients are recognized at our Annual Meeting.
Sara and Mutt Evans Leadership Award
The Sara and Mutt Evans Leadership Award honors individuals in our community who have demonstrated long-standing dedication to community service, leadership, and innovative ideas in service for our local Jewish community.
Nominations are accepted through June 31 annually. Award recipients are recognized at our Annual Meeting.
Volunteer of the Year Award
The Jewish value of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, teaches us that we each must play an active role in the world. Volunteerism is a pathway for individuals to express this value while making the world better and more whole. Each year we recognize an individual who has made special contributions to the vitality and future of the organization through their volunteer efforts.
Nominations are accepted through July 31 annually. Award recipients are recognized at our Annual Meeting.
Loans
JELF - Jewish Educational Loan Fund
JELF provides interest-free last dollar loans to Jewish students in need for their higher education, specifically for students residing in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Our Director of Helping works with local students to complete part of the application process with JELF. Check out their website to learn more.