Nesiya Community Fellows Award

What are the Nesiya Community Fellows Awards?

Nesiya Community Fellows Awards recognize Kehillah Experience participants who want to build on their experiences in Israel by giving back to their communities through the fulfillment of a significant academic-year education and/or community service project. Upon returning from Israel, Fellows will design, initiate and execute this innovative and substantial project. In addition, Nesiya Community Fellows are expected to attend the 2008 Nesiya Winter Retreat, and will be provided with a 50% tuition merit award to support their participation, plus additional need-based support, if necessary.

Each Community Fellow will receive a merit-based scholarship toward the cost of the Nesiya 2008 Kehillah Experience in Israel.

How do I become a Nesiya Community Fellow?

The Award is available to a limited number of participants based on the submission of the Community Fellows Award Application (below). Community Fellows will be selected according to the merit of their project proposal and their complete Nesiya application. The project proposal will be assessed according to its thoughtfulness, originality, significance of contribution, and the feasibility of the project.

What is a Nesiya Community Fellow Project?

Community Fellow Projects can be as far-reaching as your imagination, initiative and hard work will allow. Your project should address a need in your local community. This can be something in your local Jewish community, your school community, or your greater community. Your project can serve anyone you would like to help, including youth, elderly, other teens, or an underprivileged population. The project should reflect a significant commitment on your part to serve your community and should incorporate your personal interests and creativity.

You will be responsible for designing, initiating and executing your proposed project, with the support of your family, a project advisor and the Nesiya staff. The project should be something that you can realistically complete within a year of your return from Israel.

How do I apply?

Before you send in an application, spend a fair amount of time thinking about a project that you will enjoy doing and find meaningful. Be sure to research the feasibility of the project by making any necessary contacts, planning the amount of time you'll spend and determining what resources you'll need. Contact the Nesiya office with any questions or if you would like to brainstorm project ideas. After you have a good idea about what your project will involve, submit the Community Fellows Award application to the Nesiya office.

2008 Application

Community Fellows Award Application 2008

When is the application due?

The Nesiya Community Fellows application is due April 15, 2008.

How is the Nesiya Community Fellows Award different from the other Nesiya Fellowship Awards?

Nesiya Community Fellows Awards provide a significant award strictly on the basis of merit, not financial need. Additionally, whereas the other Nesiya fellowship responsibilities require alumni to fulfill a flexible menu of education and service options, the Nesiya Community Fellows Award is intended to support individuals who perceive a challenge they wish to address through a singular, substantial project. Community Fellows are permitted to modify their proposal following their Nesiya summer.

Can I still receive financial aid?

Nesiya Community Fellows are eligible to receive additional financial aid based on need, as well as early application fellowships. Please note that Nesiya reserves the right to adjust the amount of need-based support provided by Nesiya to winners of the Nesiya Community Fellows Awards.