JVS Scholarship Committee

You Can Make A Difference

A WORD FROM CO-CHAIRS JONATHAN A. KARP AND DAVID BOLOUR

For over 50 years, the JVS Scholarship Program has transformed the lives of thousands of students, helping them pursue and achieve their academic and ultimately career dreams. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly 1 in 4 Jews in California lives in a household with less than $50,000 in annual income. When we started our program in 1972, the state of California had just recently ended free in-state tuition for the UC system – today, the California resident estimate is more than $40,000 per year. 

The need has never been greater. As we continue down the road for the next 50 years of the JVS Scholarship Program, we must redouble our efforts to provide as many need-based scholarships to eligible students as possible.

What makes the JVS Scholarship Program one of the strongest and most long-standing JVS SoCal programs are the multigenerational groups of volunteers that dedicate their time, effort, and knowledge to help students across the Jewish community. This is a true expression of our peoplehood’s time-honored commitment to l’dor v’dor, helping from one generation to the next generation. 

The accomplishments and educational triumphs of the students we support would not be possible without those who serve on the Scholarship Committee, who each year face the challenge of allocating limited resources and selecting these bright leaders. This year we were fortunate to be able to distribute $820,000 in scholarships. 

Thanks to the Scholarship Committee’s efforts, our program benefited a total of 214 Jewish students this year. For their support, dedication, and time, we are so grateful. Since the program started in 1972, a total of $13.4 million has been awarded to over 6,000 students. Our Committee members’ devotion to the advancement of our students, who are able to provide the gift of education for the people that need it most is what makes the program successful. 

L’Shalom,

Jonathan A. Karp, Scholarship Committee Co-Chair
David Bolour, Scholarship Committee Co-Chair

Mission of JVS Scholarship Committee

The JVS Scholarship Committee serves to ensure the continuation and financial stability of the JVS Scholarship Program. Through its dedicated volunteers, along with JVS staff, the Committee is involved in every aspect of the program. This includes interviewing and selecting potential recipients, program oversight, fundraising campaigns, administering the scholarships, alumni outreach and development, and recruiting new members and donors.

The JVS Scholarship Committee is a unique policy and services committee. Our dedicated committee members are actively engaged in:

• Setting program policy and structure
• Hands-on participation interviewing prospective and renewal students
• Award determination
• Participate in one or more subcommittees:
  Student Interviewing
  Development
  Alumni Development
• Support Development/Fundraising efforts, campaigns and events
• Pledge a minimum $1,000 “give or get” annual contributions
• Attend four committee meetings a year

Former Chairs of the JVS Scholarship Committee