Washington State Regional Fellowships

Introduction

Generous merit-based fellowship funding is available for Washington State Jewish high school students to journey to Israel in summer 2012 and participate in follow-up programs and a local community service project during the following academic year. The purpose of the fellowship is to inspire Washington State 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 WA Jewish Service Learning program which includes a Nesiya Community Internship: a weekly service project in a non-profit or education organization that is selected by the Fellow.

The fellowship lowers the cost of the summer Israel program by $3,500, and provides a full $1,250 tuition subsidy for the winter retreat. Additional need-based support is available from Nesiya and local sources. 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 & digital arts, 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)

Is Additional Need-Based Support Available?
Yes, additional need based support is available based on submission of a Nesiya Financial Aid Application

What Does the Subsidized $4,035 Cost Cover?

• Full Tuition for 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 Washington State Regional Coordinator

What Does the Subsidized Cost Not Cover?

• Round-trip airfare from Washington to Israel

• Spending money in Israel

• Round-trip travel from Seattle to Nesiya Winter Retreat on the East Coast.

When is the application deadline?
The final application deadline for Washington State Fellowship Applicants is April 18, 2010. Fellowship applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early. Some applicants may be accepted on a rolling admissions basis. Applicants are also encouraged to apply early if they are applying for additional need-based support. Update: please note that the application deadline has been extended - contact info@nesiya.org for details.

Who is eligible to receive a Nesiya WA State Fellowship?
Young people residing in the State of WA who are currently completing grades 10, 11, or 12.

How can I apply for a Nesiya WA 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 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 also required to seek support from local sources.  Please contact the Nesiya regional coordinator, joy@nesiya.org, for help in identifying sources of funding in your local community.

How will Nesiya WA Fellowship Applicants be selected?
WA State Nesiya Fellows will be selected who:
a) reflect the diversity of the Jewish community in the State of Washington; 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; and
• Participation in a minimum of 80 hours of volunteer service and approved enrichment programs in WA State, 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.

Who sponsors the Nesiya Institute and who is funding the Regional Washington State Fellowships?
The Nesiya Institute is an independent year-round non-profit organization devoted to inspiring diverse young people to enrich Jewish life. Nesiya is generously supported by foundations and individual donors. The Nesiya WA State Fellowships are generously supported by the Samis Foundation of Seattle.

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

• Joy Maimon, WA Regional Coordinator, in Seattle, joy@nesiya.org

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

• or contact info@nesiya.org

(Please note: The financial support offered to Nesiya Washington State Fellows cannot be combined with a Nesiya early application discount, nor any other incentive award that Nesiya provides to alumni of and/or applicants to other programs. Washington State applicants are eligible, however, to apply for additional fellowship support from Nesiya based on demonstrated need.)

Voices of Nesiya Washington State Fellows and Parents

Nesiya ignited my passion for Israel and Jewish living. I learned how to take risks and make my own decisions. I learned about myself and how I can make a difference in my community.
Shira Orzech '10-'11, Seattle

Nesiya engaged Adam’s brain and his heart. Forming meaningful relationships with diverse participants in well-developed activities strengthened his foundation as a human, a Jew, a friend, a learner, and a contributor.
Dr. Jeff Gillman, father of Adam

Nesiya has inspired me to be the best version of myself that I can be. I have spent a lot of the last year taking things I’m not satisfied about in my life and trying to fix them.
Tanya Friedland '09-'10, Seattle

Nesiya has helped me develop a religious, social, and more multifaceted political relationship with Israel.
Zachary Gottlieb '09-'10, Burien

The group noticed things about me that I never knew about myself. They supported and loved me for who I am, nothing more and nothing less.
Pessia Parent '10-'11, Seattle

Shoshana grew in her self-awareness and self-confidence and in her appreciation for her place in the world. Nesiya provided her a wonderful place to grow, learn and develop leadership skills that will last her a lifetime.
Karen Trieger, mother of Shoshana

I gained the motivation to become more aware of politics, Israel and Judaism. I feel so much more connected to Israel because I got to know people who live here.
Aviva Peltin '10-'11, Seattle

My tutoring work was an excellent proof that slow but sure progress can yield great results.
Bryan Solomon '09-'10, Mercer Island

I experienced an understanding, accepting, caring, loving, supporting, nonjudgmental community. I gained the courage and strength to be honest with whatever I do.
Claire Covner '10-11, Bellevue

My love of the land of Israel and the Jewish people developed. I hope to apply this when I attend university by helping other young people find their Judaism and love for Israel.
Adam Gillman '09-'10, Bellevue

I definitely want to continue volunteering in college. The year of service has shown me there is always time to volunteer.
Julia Snyder '09-'10, Seattle

I learned how to be a leader, and I planned activities that I will use in my youth group. The group supported everything I did, even when I made mistakes.
Ari Dahukey '10-'11, Bellevue

The group was instrumental in my growth as an individual. Every person supported me in my search for my Jewish identity and taught me things I never learned growing up.
Jane Singer '10-'11, Seattle

The group enrichment programs enhanced the fellowship experience by letting us stay connected as a community.
Isabel Ceccanti '09-'10, Gig Harbor

I want to bring home the sense of pride and enjoyment Nesiya participants took in their Judaism and Zionism.
Jenny Singer '10-'11, Seattle

I gained the confidence to speak my opinion.
Ellen Kay '10-'11, Bellevue

Nesiya helped me to be more aware of my surroundings and made me ask questions that I've never asked myself before.
Michelle Auster '09-'10, Olympia

Nesiya was a life-forming experience. I realized that conflict is hard, but it can bring people closer, if we allow it to.
Tmima Shupack '10-'11, Seattle

The presence of Israelis gave me insight into a foreign culture, and I enjoyed the opportunity to use my Hebrew.
Shmuel Trieger '10-'11, Seattle

Nesiya opened up Shira's world. She doesn’t see the world in black and white so much anymore.
Carol and Joe Orzech, Parents of Shira