Clone of Harry Hecht Family Memorial College Scholarship Program 2025

The Jewish Community Foundation offers scholarship awards from the Harry Hecht Family Memorial College Scholarship Fund, the Evelyn & Ben Breitman Education Endowment Fund and the Marcus and Rita Wohlfeiler Memorial Scholarship Fund, to outstanding Jewish high school seniors to help fund their college freshman year at a full time accredited undergraduate program in the U.S. Completion of this application make you eligible to be considered for a scholarship for all three funds.

Awards are based on financial need, academic performance, and community service.
Applications are required to be residents of the Milwaukee metropolitan area.
Applications and accompanying documents and materials for Fall 2025 must be received by 11:59 PM on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
If applicants are deferring college, they should apply the year they matriculate, not the year they graduate high school.

There are five sections in this application:

Personal Information
Education
Extra-Curricular Activities and Employment
Financial Status
Essay and Uploaded Documents

Who is Harry Hecht?

The Jewish community foundation's college scholarship program was established by the opening of the Harry Hecht Family Memorial College Scholarship Fund in 1996. The Hecht Family Scholarship seeks to make an impact in the lives of Jewish families with financial need through a one-time scholarship, preferably to a Wisconsin University. This scholarship was established by Harry Hecht, a young Polish immigrant who journeyed alone to the United States in 1928 when his mother Sarah, died.

Harry faced many challenges and found himself depending on the kindness of the Jewish community to help his family meet their needs. He tried his hand at many businesses and eventually became successful with a business then known as Hecht Mfg. Harry never forgot the lean years and later in life sought to pay the generosity he received forward.

Today the Hecht Family Scholarship Committee continues Harry's mitzvah. We seek to assist Jewish candidates in Milwaukee who show a commitment to their communities through volunteer work, involvement in Jewish and secular organizations, solid academic achievement, and who demonstrate a desire to succeed and bring their talents back to their communities to continue Harry's vision.

Harry struggled to help his son Richard attend the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and later Madison. We believe in Wisconsin schools and in keeping our dollars and talent in Wisconsin communities. For that reason, we may prioritize applicants attending Wisconsin schools.

Hard work was a cornerstone of Harry’s life. He worked nonstop as an immigrant child until his own retirement in his eighties. While community service is an important part of what the Hecht Family Scholarship Committee looks for, we recognize that for some families an outside job is more than a character builder, it’s a necessity, and for this reason work histories will also be valued.

The Hecht Family and the Jewish Federation invite all interested high school seniors who feel this touches them to apply to continue Harry’s legacy.

Date of Application*

Date

Name*

First NameLast Name

Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Email*

example@example.com

Phone Number*

Please enter a valid phone number.

Date of Birth*

Date

Name of Parent/Guardian 1*

First NameLast Name

Phone Number of Parent/Guardian 1*

Please enter a valid phone number.

Address of Parent/Guardian 1*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Occupation of Parent/Guardian 1*

Name of Parent/Guardian 2

First NameLast Name

Phone Number of Parent/Guardian 2

Please enter a valid phone number.

Address of Parent/Guardian 2

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Occupation of Parent/Guardian 2

Is the applicant an immigrant, or the child of an immigrant?*

YesNo

Please explain

Does the applicant have siblings?*

YesNo

If siblings are students, where and what year?

Applicant resides with:*

Both ParentsMotherFatherOther

Is applicant declared a dependent on either parent's tax return?*

YesNo

Current High School *

Anticipated Date of High School Graduation*

Date

Current Rank in Class & Number of Students in Graduating Class*

Current Cumulative Grade Point Average*

List academic awards, honors, scholarships and distinctions you have attained in high school*

List college(s) to which you have applied and the cost of tuition and room & board at each college*

Name of School 1 *

City of School 1 *

Dates Attended at School 1*

Name of School 2

City of School 2

Dates Attended at School 2

Add another school?

YesNo

Name of School 3

City of School 3

Dates Attended at School 3

Add another school?

YesNo

Name of School 4

City of School 4

Dates Attended at School 4

Type of Activity 1*

City of Activity 1*

Dates Participated in Activity 1*

Type of Activity 2

City of Activity 2

Dates Participated in Activity 2

Add another activity?

YesNo

Type of Activity 3

City of Activity 3

Dates Participated in Activity 3

Add another activity?

YesNo

Type of Activity 4

City of Activity 4

Dates Participated in Activity 4

Add another activity?

YesNo

Type of Activity 5

City of Activity 5

Dates Participated in Activity 5

Briefly describe your volunteer activities in the Jewish community and state your most significant contribution.*

List and briefly describe your other volunteer and extra-curricular activities and state your most significant contribution.*

Describe your hobbies and leisure-time interests.

Employer 1

Location of Employer 1

Type of Work of Employer 1

Dates of Employer 1

Employer 2

Location of Employer 2

Type of Work of Employer 2

Dates of Employer 2

Add another employer?

YesNo

Employer 3

Location of Employer 3

Type of Work of Employer 3

Dates of Employer 3

Add another employer?

YesNo

Employer 4

Location of Employer 4

Type of Work of Employer 4

Dates of Employer 4

What other financial scholarships have you applied for?*

Have you been awarded any other scholarships and in what amounts (approximately)?*

How do you plan to finance your future education?*

Do you have a savings or trust account for college? Please explain.*

Since scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial need, academic distinction and community service. Please indicate the category for your family’s adjusted gross income from the most recent tax return. Select a category*

Please include any additional information that might be pertinent

How did you find out about the Harry Hecht Family College Scholarship?*

Answer the question below with a short essay (no longer than 700 words). Please avoid simply listing activities you have listed elsewhere in this application. Instead, tell us how your experiences have shaped and inspired you. What is your personal mission statement AND what factors, educational and personal (outside of those items you have listed elsewhere in the application) will help you to achieve your mission?*

0/700

Letter of recommendation*

Academic Transcript*

Parent's Most Recent Tax Return*

Parent's Most Recent W-2*

Harry Hecht Family Memorial College Scholarship Program 2025

Application

Family Information

General Education

Education and Jewish Activities

List your Jewish activities.

Extra-Curricular Activities

List your employment history.

Financial Status

Essay Question

Uploaded Documents