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.”

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
Gallery
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
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