Northern California Regional Fellowships

Introduction

Generous merit-based fellowship funding is available for Northern Californian Jewish high school students to journey to Israel in summer 2012 and participate in follow-up programs and a local community service project next year. The purpose of the fellowship is to inspire Northern Californian young people to develop their relationship with Judaism and Israel and enrich life for themselves and others. Fellowship funding will be awarded to diverse students currently in grades 10, 11, or 12, without regard to prior Jewish background, and whether or not they have been to Israel before.

The fellowship supports Regional Fellows' participation in three programs sponsored by The Nesiya Institute:

1. The Kehillah Experience, a six-week summer Israel program (July 2 – August 13, 2012)

2. The Nesiya 7-day Winter Retreat on the East Coast (during Winter Break); and,

3. Nesiya’s Northern California Jewish Service Learning program which includes a Nesiya Community Internship: a weekly volunteer service project in a non-profit or education organization that is selected by the Fellow.

The Northern California Regional Fellowship award lowers the cost of the summer program by $3,500, and provides a $1,250 full tuition subsidy for the US-based one-week winter retreat in December. Regional Fellows agree to fulfill 80 hours of volunteer service and enrichment activities during the year following the summer program.

FAQ

What Makes Nesiya’s Six-Week Israel Journey Unique?

• The full participation of Israeli high school students from throughout Israel (usually 30-40% of each group)

• Travel and outdoor adventures in four regions of Israel – Negev, Galilee, Jerusalem-Tel Aviv, Judean Desert

• Workshops in creative writing, theater, visual arts, photography, movement, and music

• Creative study of Judaism and Jewish and Israeli history and culture

• A 4-day community service project in a residential school for disadvantaged Israeli children

• Community building with American and Israeli participants and staff from diverse Jewish backgrounds

• A 2 – 3 day cultural exchange program with Israeli Bedouin peers

• A private concert with a leading Israel musical performer

What is the Subsidized Cost of the Year-Long Fellowship?
$4,035 (not including roundtrip airfare)

What does the subsidized $4,035 cost cover?

• Subsidized participation in the six-week Nesiya summer Israel Program

• Full-tuition for the 7-day Nesiya Winter Retreat on the East Coast

• Regional Service Learning Program, led by Nesiya Northern California Regional Coordinator

What Does the Subsidized Cost Not Cover?

• Round-trip airfare from Northern California to Israel

• Spending money in Israel

• Round-trip transportation from Northern California to the Nesiya Winter Retreat on the East Coast.

When is the application deadline?
Applicants should apply early as the number of fellowship awards are limited and may be awarded on a rolling-admission basis. Applicants are also encouraged to apply early if they are applying for additional need-based support.

Who is eligible to receive a Nesiya Northern California Regional Fellowship?
Young people residing in Northern California who are currently completing grades 10, 11, or 12.

How can I apply for a Nesiya Northern California Regional Fellowship?
Submit the complete application for Nesiya’s Kehillah Experience and also submit a Nesiya Community Internship Proposal.

How can I apply for additional need-based financial support?
Additional need-based financial support is available from Nesiya and local sources. Need-based support from Nesiya is based on the submission of Nesiya’s financial aid form.  All need-based financial support applicants are required to seek support from local sources as well. Nesiya will help you identify and apply to the right sources in your community. (Northern Californian applicants not granted a “regional fellowship” award are eligible for Nesiya early application discounts as well as other Nesiya funding based on merit and/or need.)

How will Nesiya Northern California Regional Fellows be selected?
Nesiya Northern California Regional Fellows will be selected who:
a) reflect the diversity of the Jewish community in Northern California; and
b) demonstrate potential for developing good character and leadership abilities in different areas (including, education, the arts, media, volunteer service, entrepreneurship, politics, business, science, etc.).

What are the requirements for fulfilling the Fellowship?

• Participation in the full six-week Israel program
• Participation in the one-week Nesiya Winter Retreat program

• Participation in a minimum of 80 hours of volunteer service and approved enrichment programs in Northern California, which includes a weekly volunteer service project in an established non-profit or educational agency

• Participation in a planned series of communication projects, which may include: video interview, public speaking, writing assignments (some of which may be published on the internet and in local publications, weekly reflection on volunteer service, and a final report, etc.

How Can I Learn More?
For more information, please contact:

• Rachael Brill, Nesiya Manager of Recruitment and Community Outreach, in New York, 212.951.7128 or rachael@nesiya.org

• Charles Herman, Executive Director, in Jerusalem, cherman@nesiya.org or 315.359.6115 (local US number which rings in Jerusalem office)

(Please note: The $3,500 merit-based fellowship awards for Northern Californians cannot be combined with a Nesiya early application discount or any other Nesiya incentive award that Nesiya provides to alumni of and/or applicants to other programs. Additional need-based support is available.)

Voices of Past Nesiya Regional Fellows and Parents

“I have grown in my ability to have contentious and intense conversations with all people. I now consider all sides of an issue before forming my own opinion. I gained a new way of thinking and an understanding of how to build strong, deep and caring relationships. ”
Jake Wolf-Sorokin, MA State Fellow

“I was exposed to people of different backgrounds and approaches to Judaism that I didn’t know.  Since the summer, I have begun to study Hebrew and have gotten involved with environmental activism.”
Isabel Ceccanti, WA State Fellow

“I learned that everyone has a story that's worth listening to. Everyone can teach you something. I want to continue finding this meaning in people and in texts, and to continue questioning everything.”
Lydia Resnik, Cleveland Fellow

“Ben came back a different person with a strong sense of who he was and a deeper understanding of what being Jewish means to him. His observance level changed and he readily talked about his experiences and his desire to live differently. His view of social justice was awakened and he clearly wants to continue to volunteer and help others. ”
Gina Tzizik, mother of Ben, MA State Fellow

“I changed in the way I treat others, and I gained a sense of humility in my interactions. I have better learned to listen to others and take what they say to improve myself. I want to take with me the drive to be a better person and to help the world.”
Hannah Firestone, MA State Fellow

“I continue to be amazed by the changes in Rachel and Moriah. They returned filled with stories, wise insights and perceptions. They grew in terms of their own sense of self. Thanks for taking such wonderful care of our children.”
Karal Stern, mother of Rachel and Moriah Lieberman, Cleveland Fellows

“Shoshana grew in her self-awareness and self-confidence and in her understanding and appreciation for her place in the world.  Her growth as a person was remarkable.    Nesiya provided her a wonderful place to grow, learn and develop personal and communal leadership skills that will last her a life time”
Karen Trieger, mother of Shoshana, WA State Fellow

“Nesiya's emphasis on community is more than words. It is no small thing to bring out the best in teens and create a community devoid of cliquishness. Fred felt welcomed and validated even when he felt challenged. ”
Julia Sadock-Savino, mother of Fred Cumberworth, Cleveland Fellow

“I became more independent and learned about myself. I found the inspiration to make changes back home – I want to start taking more initiative, stop letting fear hold me back, start learning more about politics, world events and my Judaism. I learned how important it is to be open and honest, and to confront people about issues and problems.”
Moriah Lieberman, Cleveland Fellow

“Nesiya not only taught me an immeasurable amount about Judaism and Israel, it has allowed me to be less judgmental and more confident when dealing with other people and issues at home.”
Bryan Solomon, WA State Fellow