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Maslin Enrichment Fund for Jewish Communal Association

What is the Maslin Enrichment Fund for Jewish Communal Association?

The Fund was established in 2005 by Kristy and Jon Maslin (1980C) through The Reitman Foundation, for the purpose of facilitating an Emory undergraduate's work, communal, or academic experience in Israel or in another foreign country where Jewish communal engagement is sought. Because Emory University offers financial assistance to students interested in summer language programs, MEFJCA will not entertain applications for language support. Here are some examples of programs we have in mind that the Fund would sponsor annually. This list is only suggestive; it is not meant to be exclusive.

  • a rising junior, majoring in sociology, who is interested in women's issues, might want to work for two months in a women's shelter in Jerusalem;
  • a rising senior, a history or international relations major, might have the linguistic ability and character to work in a Jewish camp in Budapest;
  • a pre-med student might want to work in a medical laboratory in Tel Aviv;
  • a student interested in public health might be a work-study student for a local health care facility in the Jewish community located in Lima, Peru

What is the award?

Typically a grant of up to $3,000 will be given to pay for lodging, travel and related educational expenses.

What are the requirements and application process for an MEFJCA award?       

Rising Emory sophomores, juniors, or seniors who have a GPA of 3.2 or better, and have plans to either participate in a full-time academic or work program or engage with a foreign Jewish community are encouraged to apply.

Knowledge of a foreign language is not a prerequisite for consideration for a Fund grant; however, knowledge of the language being used will increase an applicant's chances for receiving an award.

To apply, each applicant must submit the following documents:

  • A 500-word essay, outlining the qualities, skills and expertise he/she will bring to the proposed experience, and how this experience will contribute to his/her academic and/or career goals;
  • At least one letter of recommendation from an Emory faculty member;
  • An unofficial transcript from OPUS; and
  • A brochure/web site of the proposed service/learning organization.

Applications are due December 1 for spring travel and April 1 for summer/fall travel, and should be sent to:

Eli Sperling sperling.eli@emory.edu

What are the requirements after receipt of an MEFJCA award?

Upon their return, recipients must:

  • Submit to the selection committee a 2-page report of their experiences, within one month of returning; and
  • Deliver two public presentations about (or published accounts of) their experiences at Emory and/or in their home communities, during their first semester back in the United States.  This could be at a civic organization or religious institution, or in a classroom setting.

How can I make a contribution to MEFJCA?

Contributions to the Fund are welcome and may be sent to Institute for the Study of Modern Israel of Emory University, 825 Houston Mill Road Atlanta, GA 30329.

Such tax-deductible contributions should be made out to the Institute for the Study of Modern Israel - MEFJCA and will be acknowledged by return mail.

Previous MEFJCA Interns:

Some previous award-recipients: 

2017
Tayler Bolton, class of 2018
Country: Israel
Project: Clerk for the Supreme Court of Israel

Jacob Robbins, class of 2019
Country: Israel
Project: Intern with Bat Sheva Dance Company in Tel Aviv

2014
Jane Singer, class of 2015
Country:Israel
Project: Volunteer with Onward Israel Repair the World Service Learning Initiative

2010
Abby Zeitlin, class of 2010
Country: Israel
Project: Volunteer with Save A Child's Heart, and Study at Tel Aviv University

David Micley, class of 2011
Country: South Africa
Project: Volunteer with Ikamva Labantu - The Future of Our Nation
 
2009
Misha Clebaner, class of 2010
Country: Israel
Project: Internship with Rabbis for Human Rights, and study abroad at Hebrew University


Ariel Movshovich, class of 2010
Country: Israel
Project: Volunteering with Solidarity Sheli, and study abroad at Tel Aviv University
 
2008
Laura Aland, class of 2010
Country: South Africa
Project: Volunteering at MaAfrika Tikkun


Jaclyn Blumenfeld, class of 2010
Country: Israel
Project: Independent research on "Militarism at the Core of Israeli Society"


Naomi Schuster, class of 2010
Country: Czech Republic
Project: Volunteering at Hagibor, a Jewish retirement home in Prague
 
2007
Julie Lascar, class of 2009
Country: Israel
Project: Study abroad at Hebrew University, and an internship at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs


Leah Foxman, class of 2007
Country: Israel
Project: Volunteering with Livnot u'Lehibanot and Volunteers for Israel


2006
Julie Nemirovsky, class of 2006
Country: Israel
Project: Volunteering in Yokneam, Israel