So far, KKL-JNF has provided a scholarship of NIS 4,000 to 1,670 students from the Gaza Envelope and Sderot.
By Shula Rosen
October 7th forever changed the lives of Israelis living in communities on the border with Gaza.
Survivors of the massacre lost relatives, are still waiting for the return of loved ones who were taken captive, and many are displaced, still living in hotels and uncertain about their futures.
Amid these challenges, residents of southern Israel have left their careers behind, and students who had hoped to attend university in the 2023-24 school year put their studies on hold.
Although there are some educational opportunities available for these young people, the ongoing war and displacement has made it difficult to focus on learning.
Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund has responded to this challenge by establishing a scholarship program for students in southern border communities.
The fund began when Doron Markel, KKL-JNF’s Chief Scientist, spoke to administrative staff of southern universities who reported that many students enrolled were unable or reluctant to attend.
“(I realized) these students needed help,” Markel said.
“Many of these students are living in hotels, and they are still in shock. It is very difficult for them to apply themselves to serious study. For them, returning to their studies is a form of rehabilitation,” he added.
In response, last April, Markel developed special KKL-JNF scholarship program, which provides a scholarship of NIS 4,000 to 1,670 students from the Gaza Envelope and Sderot.
The two main criteria are that students applicants had to have been residents of Gaza border communities or Sderot as of October 7, 2023 and be registered to attend at certain Gaza envelope institutions.
“We wanted to give them an incentive to return to their studies,” Markel said.
To support the program and provide more scholarships for students in southern Israel,
Click this link:https://donate.kkl-jnf.org/education_jp_full/?utm_source=JP_Articles&utm_medium=KKL_JP_Art4&utm_campaign=KKL_JP_Art4_Education_05082024