Creating a scholarship fund is an excellent way to improve the lives of young people who otherwise may not have the means to pursue a higher education. Since 1990, The Dallas Jewish Community Foundation has awarded over 225 scholarships for a total of $863,000 to deserving recipients. Even more far reaching is the impact these scholarship recipients will have for the future of our community.

2000 scholarship recipient RonAmber Deloney was selected this year as a full-grant Fulbright Fellow.  “I am thankful for the opportunity to continue a tradition of excellence that I know will extend into the future and touch another student's life, just as it has mine,” she said.  RonAmber writes and performs poetry that focuses on health and global issues, such as the South African AIDS crisis.

“RonAmber has such focus and drive and we are very proud of her and her marvelous accomplishments,” said Judi Santon, co-founder of the Mickey and Ruth Schimmel Memorial Scholarship, “It’s trickle-down kindness. We help one person, who helps ten more, and so it continues to multiply.”

Jennifer Sadoff, 2002 (Schimmel) and 2003 Hedy and Fred Reisberg Scholarship recipient, is now attempting to recover the music of Jewish composers who were forgotten, banned or black listed by the Nazis and see these pieces published and performed for the public. “I feel strongly that higher education is the key to global cooperation,” she said. “In the future I will become even more active in helping others realize their educational goals.”

Stefani Carter, 1999 and 2000 recipient, was the keynote speaker at the Foundation’s 2003 scholarship reception. Stefani recently interned at the Dallas law firm of Vinson & Elkins, working with Jeff Chapman. She and her younger sister, Starlett (2001 and 2003 scholarship recipient), are currently attending Harvard Law School.

“This scholarship has helped to reinforce my commitment to public service and has eased the financial burdens of my family,” Stefani said.  “This scholarship is a terrific honor and has helped make my dreams become reality.”

Russell Hoffman, was a 1995 and 1996 scholarship recipient and earned a master’s and a doctorate of psychology from Yeshiva University. In addition to his private practice, Russell now works as a psychologist at The Children’s Village, a residential treatment center for foster children in New York.

“The scholarship was like a symbol of support from back home,” Russell said.  “If I had not already been committed to using my education for the betterment of the Jewish community, I certainly would have been so compelled by my gratitude for such support.”

UBS Financial Services Inc. is the first corporation to establish an endowed scholarship through the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation. Nationwide the firm distributed over $4 million dollars to charitable institutions across the country as part of their "Contact Matters" initiative.  Alan Yonack and Clifford Holland, Senior Vice Presidents and founding partners of the Dallas Executive Financial Group within UBS, were asked to help select a worthy charitable organization for the funds allocated through the Park Cities branch office.
 
"We wanted to direct the funds to an organization that would have broad range of appeal, and education is a topic very dear to us," Alan said. "We could think of no better way to give back to the Dallas community on an ongoing basis than by establishing the UBS Endowment Scholarship Fund under the auspices of the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation."

Hal Jayson has established two scholarships in memory of his uncle and his father. “With scholarship funds, it is possible to sow the seeds of leadership in deserving young people who will help shape our future,” he said. “I can think of no more personally rewarding way to honor my uncle and my father than by establishing these funds in their names.