The Southwest Torah Institute, the educational and outreach arm of Congregation Chofetz Chayim, has been awarded the Goldman Family Israel Scholarship by the Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona and the Elliot S. Goldman and Goldman Family Israel Scholarship Funds. The $2,500 grant will support a scholarship for one participant in the Southwest Torah Institute’s second Israel Experience trip, May 4 to May 18, 2014.
“A core ingredient of living life as a Jew is a feeling of attachment to and love for Israel. This love becomes truly actualized through experiencing Israel first-hand. Elliot Goldman, of blessed memory, a long-time Chofetz Chayim member and supporter, was a living example of this love of Israel. By traveling to Israel, he developed a deep, emotional bond with Israel and its people, which impacted every aspect of his already-committed Jewishness. Even when I visited him in the hospital, he asked me to bring Israeli music to help him connect to Israel,” says Rabbi Israel Becker of Congregation Chofetz Chayim. Goldman visited Israel on a Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona mission and was awarded the Gary I. Sarver Young Man of the Year Award in 1980.
The Goldman Family Israel Scholarship is not limited by age, ethnicity, geography or any other specific demographic. Within 30 days after completing the Israel trip, the scholarship recipient must submit a scholarship survey to assess the long-term impact of the trip.
Organized by the Southwest Torah Institute in connection with The Jewish Journey, Ltd., the 2014 Israel Experience includes four pre-trip study sessions designed by Becker to enrich the biblical and historical background material connected to each of the planned stops on the itinerary. Becker and his wife, Esther, led a group of 15 on an Israel Experience trip in May 2011 (see http://azjewish post.com/?p=7863).
The Southwest Torah Institute will hold a trip orientation brunch at noon on Sunday, June 9 at Congregation Chofetz Chayim. Skype is available for anyone unable to attend the meeting in person. To RSVP for the brunch or to obtain a 2014 Goldman Grant Israel Scholarship application, contact Rabbi or Esther Becker at 747-7780 or ewbecker@me.com.
