Clone of 2025 THE SARAH B. & LOUIS M. KESSELMAN ISRAEL PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIP

THE SARAH B. & LOUIS M. KESSELMAN ISRAEL PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIP 2026

The Sarah B. and Louis M. Kesselman Israel Program Scholarship Fund enables Jewish young adults to spend a semester or a year in Israel helping them to strengthen their Jewish identity and build a lasting relationship with Israel.
Eligibility Requirements for Kesselman Israel Program Scholarships

Scholarships for long-term Israel programs are available to residents (ages 18–30) of the greater Milwaukee community (and SE Wisconsin) including local university students and students enrolled in institutions of higher learning in the State of Wisconsin. The program must be approved by MASA long-term Israel travel/study programs. The Milwaukee Jewish Federation evaluates each application on an individual basis.

Applications are due Thursday, May 1, 2026 for programs beginning between June 1, 2026 and May 31, 2027. Funding is awarded based on many factors, including a demonstration of need.

Funding is not available for peer educational programs.

Applicants must be residents of the Milwaukee metropolitan area or students who have graduated from a Milwaukee area high school who are now attending an institution of higher learning in the State of Wisconsin.

The maximum scholarship available for program participants is $2,500 and applicable to the published cost of the program only. Domestic flight expenses, travel insurance or personal expenses are not covered by the scholarships.The application must be completed by the student only. The application must be typed with all questions and sections completed. If a section is not applicable, please explain. The quality of the application is considered in the awarding of scholarships.

Applications missing any requested materials will NOT be considered. 2024 (or 2025 if complete) Tax Form (first two pages) must be included.

Upon the applicant’s return to his/her community, the applicant is expected to share his/her experiences through written and/or oral presentations, and to participate in Jewish communal activities in the Milwaukee area (i.e The Jewish Chronicle, on social media etc). Scholarship funds are sent directly to the sponsoring organization, not the applicant.

It is understood that if the applicant is dismissed early from the Israel program due to an infraction of the program rules, the full amount of the scholarship received will be repaid to the Milwaukee Jewish Federation Kesselman Israel Program Scholarship fund.Successful applicants are considered to be representatives of the greater Milwaukee Jewish community. Applications and tax forms will be kept strictly confidential.

If you have questions about your program or the application, please email Abigail Stein: Abigails@milwaukeejewish.org

Program Year: June 1, 2026 to May 31, 2027

Applications due: May 1, 2026.

Applicants will be notified during the first week of June 2026.

This application must be completed by the student only. Please give an explanation if you are unable to complete any question or section. Applications missing any requested information WILL NOT be considered. The quality of the application is considered in the awarding of scholarships.
Name of Applicant
Date of Birth

MonthDayYear
Date
Street Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Phone Number

Area CodePhone Number
Email
example@example.com
Are you currently a student?
Name of current educational institution:
Year in school
Full-time or Part-time
Declared Major:
Expected date of graduation:
Are you currently employed?
Full-time or Part-time?
Dates of Employment:
Name of current employer:
Job Title:
Have you participated in an internship?
Dates of Internship
Placement Position:
How many years have you lived in the greater Milwaukee metropolitan area?
Jewish Community Involvement
Please list any affiliations with synagogues, other Jewish spiritual groups and/or other Jewish communal organizations
Please list any awards or honors you have received.
Describe participation in extracurricular activities such as community service, social activities and/or leadership positions
Israel Program of Interest
Name of Program:
Does this program have an American office or representative to which the scholarship check will be mailed?
Please provide American address if possible:
Program contact person:
Program contact person’s email address:
example@example.com
Program contact person’s phone number:

Area CodePhone Number
US College or University (if any) through which I am participating in this program:
Start Date of Program

MonthDayYear
Date
Describe the purpose of the Israel program of interest (volunteer work, study, etc…):
Cost of Program (airfare and incidentals excluded):
What is the amount you are requesting from the Sarah B. and Louis M. Kesselman Israel Program Scholarship Fund?
Have you applied for any additional scholarships, stipends or monies to help finance participation in this program?
Please give details about additional funding sources:
THE STUDENT APPLICANT MUST WRITE THIS PORTION:

Please answer one of the following questions in essay form. (Essay should be no more than 500 words.)

1. Why do you want to take part in your chosen long-term Israel program?

2. Why do you feel you should be considered for the Sarah B. and Louis M. Kesselman Israel Program Scholarship Fund?

3. What do you hope to gain personally from this experience?
Essay
Post Israel Experience Commitment
Describe ways in which you will share your Israel program experience when you return to the Milwaukee metropolitan area such as written and/or oral presentations and/or participation in Milwaukee Jewish communal activities.
Upload the FIRST TWO PAGES of your most recent 1040 tax form below. If you are experiencing issues with the uploading process, please contact Abigail Stein at Abigails@MilwaukeeJewish.org.

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Please provide TWO letters of recommendation from members of the Jewish community.

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BOTH LETTERS CANNOT BE FROM THE SAME ORGANIZATION

Please email the letters to Abigail Stein: AbigailS@MilwaukeeJewish.org,
- or mail to 1360 N. Prospect Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53202,
- or upload them to the box above.
- Letters must be received by May 1, 2026.
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THE SARAH B. & LOUIS M. KESSELMAN ISRAEL PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIP 2026

Jewish Community Involvement

Israel Program of Interest

Post Israel Experience Commitment