The Janna Sugar Memorial Scholarship Fund

For youth traveling to Israel between 8^th grade and their senior year of college.

To Our Congregation Beth Shalom Family,

As many of you know Janna felt very passionately about her experiences in Israel.  She made wonderful new friendships with Israeli teenagers, and she further strengthened her relationships with her American friends who shared her experiences with her.  Her visits to Israel brought her love of Judaism to even deeper levels and helped broaden her sense of Jewish community of which she was actively involved.

Janna delighted in telling others of her Israel trips, and she was always very excited for others who were going there.  It is because of Janna’s love for all that Israel represented to her that the creation of the Janna Sugar Memorial Israel Scholarship fund seems so fitting and meaningful.  Though Janna’s dreams of other visits to Israel will not be realized, it is comforting to know that other teens will have the opportunity to develop a love for Israel as Janna did.

Throughout these past years since her death, it has meant so very much to us that Janna continues to be remembered by all of you.  Your donations are a very special way of acknowledging important events and a very special way of letting our family know you are thinking of her.  There is a saying that when someone is charitable or performs some other mitzvah in memory of another, that the person’s spirit is brought closer to Hashem.  We believe that through your kind and generous donations Janna’s spirit is brought closer to all of us.

With love,

Bev, Dave, Ben and Jordan

THE JANNA SUGAR ISRAEL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Youth traveling to Israel between 8th grade and their senior year of college may now apply for a scholarship from the Janna Sugar Israel Scholarship Fund, which has been established in her memory.  There are many trips to Israel from which to choose.  A list of trips may be obtained by visiting https://www.juf.org/israel or by calling Michael Schneider at 847.498.4100 ext. 25.  All trips which are Send a Kid to Israel Partnership (SKIP) approved are eligible for this scholarship.

Students wishing to apply for this scholarship must be members of Congregation Beth Shalom and the student must be a member of the Congregation Beth Shalom Youth Department.  If the parents of the applicant are not members of Congregation Beth Shalom, then the applicant must have been an active participant in the Congregation Beth Shalom Youth Department for at least two years.  To apply for a scholarship, all applicants must fill out and return the proper application which requires submission of a 500 word essay (minimum) describing why the student wants to go to Israel, and why the particular trip was chosen.

Applications will be reviewed twice a year, and any applications received after the deadline will be held until the following review period.  Submissions for winter travel must be received by November 30 and applicants will be informed by December 15 of their scholarship status.  Submissions for summer travel must be received by April 15 and applicants will be informed by May 1 of their scholarship status.  All applications must be received at least two weeks prior to the departure of the trip.

There is a $750 scholarship available for the first time you use the Janna Sugar Memorial Scholarship Fund for trips at least 21 days in length.  For trips shorter in duration, a $375 scholarship is available.  If you have previously received funds from the Janna Sugar Israel Scholarship fund, you are able to receive fifty (50) percent scholarship for your second use.

A trip to Israel is a wonderful opportunity to increase Jewish identity, provide an incredible cultural and religious experience and encourage independence for your teenager.  For more information about available trips to Israel or this scholarship fund, please contact Michael Schneider at 847.498.4100 ext. 25 or MSchneider@BethShalomnb.org.

Click here for application