Scholarships

General Scholarship Allocation Process

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED BY FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2025.

In order to simplify the scholarship application process and ensure that Temple Shalom scholarship dollars are made available and distributed in an equitable manner to Temple Shalom families, a centralized Scholarship Committee has been formed. 

Available scholarship dollars are comprised of funds from the Temple, the Clergy, Temple designated funds, Brotherhood and Sisterhood. All scholarship funds will be distributed from this committee. To apply for Scholarship funds, please fill out the Centralized Scholarship application form and send or email the form to Executive Director David Lamden. The Scholarship Committee will then review the applications and award funds in a timely manner.

As a member of the URJ, our congregation strongly supports Greene Family Camp in Bruceville, Texas. For many, sending children to GFC summer camp is a major financial commitment. Each year, our congregation commits significant funds to support camp scholarships and works closely with many local partners to insure ample funds are available to help those who need it. Please note that our camp scholarships are allocated with priority given to those with most need. Due to limited available scholarship funds, the awarded scholarship dollars will not cover the total cost of the camp or event. 

Funds may be requested for Temple Shalom youth activities and events, NFTY local and regional events, BBYO local and regional events, URJ-sponsored camps and events, as well as March of the Living Trips and Israel Tours as approved by the Scholarship Committee.

General Award Criteria

  • Temple Shalom Member
  • Demonstrated financial need
  • Please read the Sisterhood scholarship information below for additional information and community service requirements for Sisterhood scholarships.
  • Please note the separate deadlines for the separate Brotherhood-awarded scholarships.

Award Restrictions

  • Scholarships will not exceed the program fee for the event for which the student wishes to attend. Transportation assistance may be available at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee.
  • Applicants are eligible to receive multiple scholarships each year. In order to be considered for a scholarship, they must submit a completed application for each event for which they are requesting a scholarship at least three weeks prior to the registration deadline.
  • If the applicant breaches the code of conduct at an event or backs out of attending the event, they will be required to repay the full amount of the scholarship.

Application Process

  • A youth and parent may submit a completed application.
  • Any senior staff member of Temple Shalom may submit a candidate for consideration and have the youth and parent complete the registration forms required.
  • All scholarship requests must be received at least one week before the RSVP deadline for local events, three weeks before the registration deadline for regional and national events.
  • Scholarship requests for Greene Family Camp are due no later than January 31st of the applicant year. 
  • Please click here for a current scholarship application.
  • For a list of other scholarship opportunities, please go to the Greene Family Camp site or Jewish Children’s Regional Service.

Submission deadline is Friday, January 31, 2025

BROTHERHOOD SCHOLARSHIPS

Bob Weinfeld Merit Scholarship

The Temple Shalom Brotherhood Bob Weinfeld Merit Scholarship is named for Bob Weinfeld, the first member of Temple Shalom Brotherhood’s Hall of Fame. Bob’s dedication to Temple Shalom and Temple Shalom Brotherhood has been unparalleled. This $1,000 scholarship is intended to be awarded to up to two high school seniors each year who best exemplify the characteristics of Bob Weinfeld: Active in all aspects of Temple Shalom life.

Unlike other Temple Shalom Scholarships, this is not a needs-based scholarship.  This scholarship is based upon merit.  The minimum qualification for this scholarship includes being a Temple Shalom member.  Other activities, including but not limited to Ozrim™, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Confirmation, Next Dor, as well as other Jewish activities outside of the Temple, should be included in the applicant’s application and essay.

Mel Sacks Need-Based Scholarship

Temple Shalom Brotherhood funds a scholarship named in honor of Mel Sacks. Mel was a past Brotherhood President and member of the Brotherhood Hall of Fame. His commitment to Brotherhood and the Temple continues to be an inspiration to us all.

This $1,000 scholarship may be awarded to up to two high school juniors or seniors each year. The money can be used toward college or a URJ camp. The minimum qualification for this scholarship is being the child of a Temple Shalom member with demonstrated financial need.

Application deadlines for these two scholarships is May 1st.

Questions? Contact Rick Cohen.

March of the Living Scholarship Offered By Temple Shalom Brotherhood $1,000 Jerome Kasten Memorial Need-Based Youth Scholarship

Temple Shalom Brotherhood is proud to present the Jerome Kasten Memorial Scholarship to offset the costs of attending the March of the Living. This scholarship is graciously funded by Deanna Kasten in memory of her husband, both long time active members of Temple Shalom.

Additional information and application can be obtained from Temple Shalom Brotherhood member David Gordon.

The application deadline is in January. Contact David Gordon for the precise date. 

SISTERHOOD SCHOLARSHIPS

Sisterhood Scholarship Requirements

The following youth scholarships are offered through Temple Shalom’s Scholarship Program (note that the first two listings are considered domestic trips):

  • Greene Family Camp
  • Miscellaneous Youth Scholarships 
  • Overseas Trips – Garin Greene Teen Tour Trips to Israel, March of the Living Scholarships, or any other Israel tour approved by the Temple Shalom Scholarship Committee

Sisterhood participates in the centralized Temple Shalom Scholarship program. In order for a child to receive any monies from the centralized scholarship program, parents must be Temple Shalom Members. Scholarships are issued strictly on the basis of financial need, with preference given to URJ sponsored events. Transportation assistance may be available at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee.

Additional funds are available through Sisterhood for those seeking financial aid with overseas trips (Garin Greene Teen Tour Trips to Israel, March of the Living Scholarships, or any other Israel tour approved by the Temple Shalom Scholarship Committee). The dollar amount of these scholarships is at the discretion of Sisterhood, separate from the centralized program. Applicants applying for these funds must have completed 20 hours of community service supported by Temple Shalom (and/or its auxiliaries) and these hours submitted with the scholarship application.

For questions, please contact Sisterhood’s Scholarship Chair.