Scholarship Guidelines - Minneapolis Jewish Federation

We know that Jewish summer camp and Israel experiences are some of the most meaningful and life-changing experiences for kids, teens and young adults—and some of the most expensive.

We want to help. The Minneapolis Jewish Federation offers a number of needs-based scholarships to assist with the cost of Israel travel and camp tuition.

Camp Scholarships

Thanks to funds raised through the annual Community Campaign, Federation is able to award financial need-based scholarships to children in the greater Minneapolis metropolitan area for the Jewish summer day and overnight camp programs. The 2022 application will open on Monday, November 15, 2021. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Laura Tilsner Liszt, Community Impact Associate, at 952-417-2348 or lliszt@jewishminneapolis.org. To learn more about the Camp Scholarship application form, click here to learn more.

The timeline for the application process is as follows:

Camp Scholarship Application Launch Date: November 2022
Camp Scholarship Application Closing Date: March 2023
Camps and families will be notified of application status in March 2023

Israel Scholarships — Your ticket to Israel.

Minneapolis Jewish Federation offers a number of scholarships to help community members experience Israel.

Louis Herman Israel Experience Fund: for teens ages 15-18. Learn more.
Isadore & Molly Boroff Israel Scholarship: for young adults ages 18-30. Learn more.
Israel Center Scholarship Fund: Needs-based scholarships for ages 16+ looking to go on an educational program. Learn more.
Annette Paletz Memorial Scholarship: for Alexander Muss High School in Israel. Learn more.

Minnesota Jewish Community Foundation Scholarships

The scholarships listed below are funded by MN JCF funds.

The Joshua Scholarship Fund

Yeshiva Scholarship

The Joshua Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to Minnesota residents who wish to study for one year in Israel at Yeshivot Hesder, Michlala Lebanot, or Orot; or other compatible Religious Zionist institutions. Priority for scholarships will be given to those with financial needs. Click here to apply.

Currently: Open

Camp Moshava Scholarship

The Joshua Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to Minnesota residents who wish to attend any Camp Moshava, religious, and Zionist camps sponsored by Bnei Akiva of the US and Canada for the purpose of furthering the educational and ideological goals of Bnei Akiva. Priority for scholarships will be given to those with financial needs. Click here to apply.

Currently: Open

Paul A. Weingarden Law School Scholarship Fund

The Paul A. Weingarden Law School Scholarship Fund provides a limited number of needs based scholarships of at least $5,000 to Jewish law students to assist with the costs of law school tuition and books.

Applicants may attend any law school in the U.S., but must either (a) be from Minnesota; or (b) live in Minnesota at the time the scholarship is awarded. Past scholarship recipients will be eligible to apply for additional scholarships in subsequent years.

Applications must be submitted yearly by May 31.

Click here to apply.

Learn More

Paul Weingarden was raised by a mother who valued education and a solid work ethic. Since the age of 12, Paul always had a job, whether it be newspaper delivery, ballpark vendor, or parking attendant.. He is the first person in his family to graduate from college. His family could not contribute towards tuition, so Paul worked full time through his undergraduate and law school studies at the University of Minnesota while still managing to volunteer his time working for civil rights in Mississippi, VISTA volunteer in East Los Angeles, CA, legal aid volunteer in North Minneapolis and as an intern for the US Attorney’s office in Minnesota. After graduating from law school and a 2-year stint as a prosecutor, he founded the real estate law firm which after 42 years still bears his name today.It has always been Paul’s dream to not only have a successful career but also to live on in the hearts and minds of those who have similar dreams as he did, which is why he started this scholarship program. It is his hope that in future years, there will be an ever changing world of men and women who perhaps, with his assistance, can achieve their dreams with a bit less stress and say a little prayer for the long passed benefactor who helped when they needed it.