T
he organization that grew to become the Jewish Foundation for Education of Women was created in 1880 to help immigrant Jewish girls and women by offering classes to help them adjust to American life. Over time, programs changed to meet the needs of new generations. We have focused on direct financial assistance to women through scholarships since 1939.
The Foundation has a number of different scholarship programs, many of which operate in partnership with specific educational institutions and organizations. These programs evolve over time in response to current educational needs, but the Foundation's essential purpose–direct financial aid to women for higher education–remains the same.
A significant part of our scholarship support goes to immigrants, including women from countries ranging from the Dominican Republic to Mali to Albania to Bangladesh. Our strong commitment to women who have emigrated from the countries of the former Soviet Union brings us full circle to the days when, as the Hebrew Technical School, we offered classes to Jewish immigrants. (Learn more about JFEW's current scholars)
Some of our programs focus on support for women going into careers such as social work, public health, teaching, and the arts, which are usually only modestly remunerative. Our assistance helps reduce the burden of loan repayment for women in these critical, community-building fields.
We have two direct-application programs. One is for émigrés from the former Soviet Union studying to enter the health professions. The other is for Jewish students residing and going to school in New York's lower six counties. This is a joint program with the UJA-Federation of New York Biller Scholarship Fund.
Many of those who have received scholarships from JFEW have gone on to distinguished careers. Among the alumnae of our scholarship programs, we count:
- one Pulitzer Prize winner
- two members of the faculty at Dartmouth College
- three judges now serving on the New York bench
- many notable artists, doctors, lawyers, social workers, professors.
JFEW is committed to an active dialogue with students, educators, social service agencies and others in the New York City community, and to hands-on involvement with its partners to ensure the success of its programs.
