JVS Scholarship Committee

 

You Can Make A Difference

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

Every year, we celebrate the total dollars raised and the number of students helped by the JVS Scholarship Program, but those of us serving on the Scholarship Committee know that these numbers do not paint the full picture of the Scholarship Program’s impact. As we learn about the educational triumphs and life accomplishments of past recipients, it becomes apparent that our diligence and support play a critical role in their success. 

“The commitment and dedication by our committee members to assist students in need is amazing and what makes this program so successful,” says Scholarship Committee Co-Chair, Jonathan A. Karp. 

Nearly half a century in operation, the great benefit of having a multigenerational group of volunteers that genuinely care makes the Scholarship Committee one of the strongest and most effective amongst all JVS SoCal programs. “Even when the COVID-19 pandemic affected everyone’s lives, making fundraising for any cause even more challenging,” says co-chair David Bolour, “thanks to the incredible dedication and energy of our members and an amazing support staff, we have not missed a beat.” The JVS SoCal Scholarship Program was able to grant over $870,000 in awards to 222 Jewish students in need this year. 

Future leaders of the Scholarship Committee will be tasked with building upon 50 years of success in a program that is constantly evolving and growing. For that, Jonathan says, “we must understand the importance of this program not only to our recipients but to the Jewish community at large.” 

A WORD FROM CO-CHAIRS ALAN POLSKY AND JONATHAN A. KARP Image

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

1984

Edgar M. Phillips, Jr.

1988

Charles Wilson

1991

Betty Wilson

1993

Rhea Coskey

1997

Marilyn Kwiker

1999

Donna Ellman Garber

2022 - 2023

Jonathan A. Karp and David Bolour

2001

Joyce Berger

2003

Joy Kravitz

2006

Judy Felsenthal

2007

Rhea Coskey, Ellen Morehead Weisman, Nancy Paul

2008-2010

Nan Kalish Goodman, Ellen Weisman Morehead

2011-2012

Ellen Weisman Morehead, Marnie Bodek

2013-2014

Nan Kalish Goodman, Jonathan A. Karp

2015

Jonathan A. Karp and Leland Felsenthal

2016-2017

Leland Felsenthal, Matthew Paul

2018

Matthew Paul, Jonathan A. Karp

2019

Matthew Paul, Alan Polsky

2020-2021

Alan Polsky and Jonathan A. Karp

2023 JVS Scholarship Committee

Sam Abrahamson

Laura Adler

Adam Bolden

David Bolour, Co-Chair

Julian Brenman 

David A. Bronner

Sunny Caine

Rhea Coskey

Heather and Michael Ezer

Dr. James Factor

Judy Felsenthal

Leland Felsenthal

Ashley Franklin

Alexandra and Ryan Gagerman

Judith Galperson

Dr. Brian Gantwerker

Donna Ellman Garber

Marilyn Garber

Andrew Gindy

Nan Kalish Goodman

Jacqueline Gottlieb

Susan Greenberg

Lori Guggenheim

Salli Harris

Dr. Kevin Hayavi

Barbara Herman

Carol Karp

Jonathan A. Karp, Co-Chair

David Klapper

Rini Kraus

Caro Krissman

Fred Kunik

Emma Lapin

John Lapin

Barbara R. Leanse

Pearle Rae Levey

Robert Liebesman

Brad Lundy

David Maltzman

Michael Maltzman

Jeannette Mandelbaum

Ellen Weisman Morehead

Geri Morguelan

David Nikayin

Neda Nikayin

Eleanor Padnick

Matthew Paul

Nancy Paul

David Pelaia

Helane Pines

Adam Pivko

Alan Polsky, Chair, Alumni Steering Committee 

Sahar Pouyanrad

Rick Powell

Jordan Pynes

Brian K. Rosenstein

Seth Silverman

Patricia Sills

Miriam Stein

Steven Taylor

Polly Marks Weinberg

Mickey Weiss

A. Charles Wilson

Alex Winnick

William Wolff

Support the Dreams of Jewish Scholars

In today’s economy, a higher education is no longer a luxury but a necessity. A college education remains the best investment a student can make in his or her future – recent studies have shown that people with a college degree earn 98% more than people without a degree.

Circle of Honor Endowment Fund

The funds invested by Circle of Honor donors play an essential role in supporting the JVS Scholarship Program now and in the years to come. The Circle of Honor Endowment Fund is long-term investment mechanism enabling JVS to use a percentage of the total earned interest to create scholarship awards now, while reinvesting the remainder of the funds to create awards into the future.

Individuals and corporations who join the Circle of Honor, starting at the $25,000 level or above, create a permanent scholarship fund that may be named in the donor’s honor or in honor or memory of a loved one. Circle of Honor pledges may be paid over time.

Circle of Honor donors are prominently acknowledged on the JVS Wall of Honor in four categories:

Silver Circle (gifts of $25,000)
Gold Circle ($50,000)
Platinum Circle ($75,000)
Diamond Circle ($100,000 or more)

Donors are also invited to attend our annual Scholarship Awards Reception, where they have the opportunity to meet the recipient(s) of their scholarship awards.

Students face serious financial challenges in pursuing higher education:

  • Over the last decade, college-loan balances in the United States have jumped more than $833 billion to reach an all-time high of $1.4 trillion, according to a recent report by Experian.
  • The average outstanding balance is now $34,144, up 62 percent over the last 10 years. In addition, the percentage of borrowers who owe $50,000 or more has tripled over the same time period, according to a separate report by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
  • A college education is now the second-largest expense an individual is likely to make in a lifetime-right after purchasing a home.
  • For recent graduates, their student loan debt also has long-term consequences and may very well shape the rest of their lives. From buying a car or a home to getting married and even having children, many millennials are putting off life’s major milestones because of their record debt.

More Information

Make an Impact Today

There are many ways that you can have an immediate impact through your support of the JVS Scholarship Program.

2020

LA BIG 5K Run

Create a Personal

Fundraising Page

Scholarship

Student Quotes

Scholarship

Awards Ceremony

For more information, contact the Julia Furer, JVS Scholarship Program Director at (323) 761-8668

Help A Student Today

DONATE NOW

Get In Touch