FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sarit Schonbrun
JNF Communications Manager
212-879-9305 ext. 222
sschonbrun@jnf.org

Milton Shapiro JNF Scholarship Fund Sends Student to Israel

December 7, 2006 -- New York, NY -- Jewish National Fund (JNF) is now accepting applications for the first grant of the Milton Shapiro JNF Scholarship Fund, established in memory of JNF past president Milton S. Shapiro.

Created by the Shapiro family, the fund will award a $5,000 merit-based fellowship to a student attending the Alexander Muss High School in Israel (AMHSI) during the April-June 2007 session.

“This scholarship is named in memory of my father, Milton Shapiro, to honor the exemplary way in which he celebrated life with his wisdom and integrity,” said Susan Levkoff.  “He was a champion of the human spirit and with his compassion and generosity he became an exceptional and distinguished philanthropic leader. Passionate about his love for family, he was devoted to the Jewish community and committed to the land of Israel and her people. His life demonstrates that it is possible ‘to change the world one person at a time’ and his legacy challenges each of us to do the same.”

To be eligible for the fellowship, students must already be accepted to the AMHSI and must participate in and raise at least $360 through JNF’s Plant Your Way to Israel, a program to raise funds for traveling to Israel by planting trees (visit www.jnf.org/pyw for more information). 

While in Israel, the fellow will work with AMHSI and JNF staff to organize three activities designed to build the Israel advocacy skills of AMHSI students and increase their knowledge of current events in Israel: an Israel advocacy training program; a JNF tree planting or a project to help rebuild northern Israel; and a half-day seminar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Once home, the fellow will be responsible for sharing his or her experiences with the local community through a presentation, newspaper article, and other appropriate venues, and will also brief the Shapiro family on his or her experiences.  

“Engaging our young Jewish community to connect to Israel was not a hobby of Milton’s, but a passion,” said Russell F. Robinson, chief executive officer of JNF. “Milton understood that the soil of the land of Israel was truly the soul of the Jewish people. I cannot think of a greater tribute than to have a scholarship fund that will touch the next generation and continue the strong link built by Milton Shapiro. We are proud to be partners with the Shapiro family in this great endeavor.”

Shapiro served as president of Jewish National Fund from 1993 to 1997, during which time he spearheaded Operation Promised Land, JNF's initiative to help resettle over one million Russian and Ethiopian immigrants in Israel.  He was a devoted philanthropist and a volunteer leader of many Zionist organizations, including American Zionist Fund, Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), American Friends of Likud, and the Jewish Agency, among others.

"This scholarship was created to honor my grandfather's memory by perpetuating his legacy - his love of Israel, learning, leadership, and life,” said Logan Levkoff-Cortes.  “We hope that the student who receives this fellowship will be as inspired by the beauty and history of Israel as my family has been."

Applications must include a personal statement of no more than two pages, one academic letter of recommendation, and one personal letter of recommendation.  The deadline for submissions is February 15, 2006.       

For more information or to apply for the fellowship, contact Shoshana Hill at 212-879-9305 ext. 245 or education@jnf.org. To learn more about the Milton Shapiro JNF Scholarship Fund and to make a contribution, visit www.jnf.org/miltonshapiro.

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Jewish National Fund is a non-profit organization founded in 1901 to serve as caretaker of the land of Israel, on behalf of its owners—Jewish people everywhere. Over the past century, JNF has planted over 240 million trees, built over 180 reservoirs and dams, developed over 250,000 acres of land, created more than 1,000 parks, provided the infrastructure for 1,000 communities and educated students around the world about Israel and the environment. Today, JNF is restoring northern Israel, making it home again to its residents, and is putting its century of experience to work with Blueprint Negev, supporting Israel’s newest generation of pioneers in developing the Negev Desert, Israel’s last frontier.  For more information on JNF or to plant trees in Israel, call 800-542-TREE (8733) or visit www.jnf.org/trees.  To contact your local office, please call 888-JNF-0099 or visit http://www.jnf.org/.