Sephardic Scholars Program
Applications for this year's 2023 Sephardic Scholars Program are now closed. Our future rests with the youth of our communities. To support the next generation and recognize the educational achievements of our youngest members, the Brotherhood established its Sephardic Scholarship Program to help them excel academically and ensure money will never be an obstacle to advancing an education. Each year, the Brotherhood's Scholarship Committee awards financial scholarships to High School, College, and Graduate Students around the country. These funds provide for students' tuition support and help ensure their academic success. Generations of members have been supported through these scholarships, many of whom have returned to endow specific awards within the Sephardic Scholars Program.
Applications for 2023 scholarships are now open. All applications must be received by March 10, 2023 and are only eligible for Brotherhood Full Members and their families. All applications must be emailed to Scholarship@SephardicBrotherhood.com
Past Sephardic Scholarship Recipients
2023 National Sephardic Scholars
Alex Kaplan
Undergraduate Recipient
Alex is a sophomore at Wesleyan University where he is double majoring in Government and Computer Science. Alex is an active member of his local Jewish community. He participates in events with both the Wesleyan Bayit as well as the Wesleyan Chabad. Alex is from Westfield, New Jersey and is receiving the Nissim Behar Memorial Scholarship Award, the Jack and Dora Ezratty Memorial Scholarship Award in memory of Vivian and Yale Ezratty, the Sarina & Leo Saady Scholarship Award, and the Gabriel & Beatrice Auslander Senor Scholarship Fund Scholarship.
Justin Kaufman
Undergraduate Recipient
Justin is completing his sophomore year at Emory University where he is studying Finance. He is a member of Emory’s Algory Capital Club in which he developed a model to predict stock option prices. He is an active participant in the Maimonides Leaders Fellowship which focuses on discussing important topics associated with Jewish life. He is committed to honoring the memory of his grandfather by keeping Sephardic traditions and customs alive whether at home with his family in New York, on his college campus in Atlanta, or anywhere his bright future may lead. Justin is receiving the Morris and Rena Raphael Memorial Scholarship.
Jonathan Nahmias
Undergraduate Recipient
Jonathan is a senior at James Madison University where he is majoring in accounting. He will be pursuing a Master of Science in Accounting at James Madison University in the Fall. Jonathan is the treasurer for the global Jewish fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi), Omega Epsilon Chapter. In addition, Jonathan served as a Freshman Orientation guide and he tutors peers in financial accounting. Jonathan is from Sandy Hook, Connecticut and is receiving the Beth El Congregation Scholarship Award, the Brotherhood Scholarship Foundation Award, and the Harry Cohen Memorial Scholarship Award.
Sabrina Bernstein
Graduate Recipient
Sabrina is in her second year at Brooklyn Law School. Through Brooklyn Law School’s Health Law Clinic, Sabrina has been working at Community Health Advocates, helping low-income New Yorkers with their insurance. She is also a part of the Jewish Graduate Student Initiative Sloan Fellowship which focuses on Jewish ethics and leadership. Sabrina is from Brooklyn, New York and is receiving the Acher & Mathilda Covo Sion Memorial Scholarship Award, the Daisy & Edward Besso Memorial Scholarship Award, and the Paul and Selma Shimshi Memorial Scholarship award.
Elisabeth Palmer
Undergraduate Recipient
Elisabeth is a junior at the University of Michigan where she is double majoring in Spanish and Linguistics. Her family has been members of the Brotherhood for over 50 years, which has inspired her to take Ladino classes offered at the University of Michigan. Her love of languages has inspired her to work towards a Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology. This summer she will be working at a center for children with autism. She is receiving the Sabatay Isaac Abrams & Mary S. Abrams-Cohen Memorial Scholarship.
Sophia Kaufman
Undergraduate Recipient
Sophia is completing her freshman year at Emory University where she is Pre-Med. Sophia is a member of the Sigma Delta Tau sorority which organizes events and community service projects to bond with and empower Jewish women. She is also the events committee leader for the Association for Women in Science. Sophia is a member of the American Medical Student association and the Anthropology Club. She is also an active participant in the Maimonides Jewish Program. Sophia is from New York City and is receiving the Lucille B. Sarfitty Memorial Scholarship
Tres Cohen-Zolottev
Undergraduate Recipient
Tres is a junior at Santa Monica College where he is studying economics. He has been an active player on multiple competitive travel teams and sports, including an instructor in Krav Maga martial arts. Tres and his grandfather always enjoy bonding over the Djoha stories in the Brotherhood’s weekly email newsletter La Boz Sefaradi. Tres lives in California, so unfortunately he could not attend in person today. Tres is receiving the Delicia and Abraham Nathan Memorial Scholarship.
Jared Behar
Undergraduate Recipient
Jared is a sophomore at Virginia Tech where he is majoring in finance. He is a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and is on the Dean’s List. During COVID, Jared volunteered with Jersey Cares to help deliver food to elderly people who couldn’t leave their homes. Jared is a fifth-generation member of the Brotherhood. He is from Randolph, New Jersey and is receiving the Flaminio & Ida Corcos Scholarship Award, the Allegra & Joseph Nathan Scholarship Award, and the Joseph & Maurice Sasson Memorial Scholarship Award.
Ryder Moss
High School Recipient
Ryder is a senior at Long Beach High School. He is the Vice President for Treasury of the National Honor Society and has organized and participated in numerous community service projects including cleaning local beaches. He is a member of the Varsity Swim team and is an All-County Scholar Athlete. Notably, Ryder was a video journalist and co-producer of a documentary “Names, Not Numbers” that chronicles the story of Holocaust survivors. Ryder is from Long Beach, New York, he is receiving the Yom Tov Crespi Memorial Scholarship.
Rachel Sharon
Undergraduate Recipient
Rachel is a freshman at Bentley University where she is majoring in Business Management and minoring in Entrepreneurship. She has qualified to compete at the International Career Development Conference as well, where she will meet with business leaders from around the world. Rachel is from Freehold, New Jersey and is receiving the Elliot and Marlene Israel Scholarship Award, the David & Rebecca Mayorkas Memorial Scholarship Award, the Lena & Henry J. Perahia Scholarship Award, and the Jason Soury Memorial Fund Award.
Sef Matarasso
Undergraduate Recipient
Sef is a freshman at the University of Central Florida where he is majoring in Mechanical Engineering. In addition, he was active in his high school school’s DECA chapter and volunteered for multiple small businesses to help them develop marketing strategies. He is receiving the Henry & Allegra Algava Scholarship in Memory of Theresa B. Shaw, the Greek Memorial Scholarship Award, the Rabbi Myron and Sarah Rakowitz Scholarship Award established by the Sephardic Jewish Center of Canarsie, and the David, Rachel, & Solly Shimshi Scholarship Award.
Maxime Munoz
Undergraduate Recipient
Maxime is a freshman at SUNY Purchase. She is a board member of her Hillel and the coordinator of Shabbat services and special events. She is also a member of her synagogue’s teen youth group and participates in community service projects. Maxime volunteers in the Midnight Run program to help homeless people in New York. Maxime is from Mount Kisco, New York and is receiving the Sam & Jack Benrube Memorial Scholarship Award, the Victor Matatia Memorial Scholarship Award, the Joseph & Mathilda Saporta Memorial Scholarship Award, and the Smart Foundation Award.
High School Recipient
Jared Mahler
Jared is completing his senior at Syosset High School and he will attend the University of Texas in Austin in the Fall. Jared in a member of the National Honor Society, National and State Business Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, and is an AP scholar. Jared lives in Woodbury, New York and is receiving the Sam and Sophie Alcheh, David and Rae Alcheh Memorial Scholarship Award, the Jack & Esther Eskenazi Memorial Scholarship Award, the Esther Roza Memorial Scholarship Award, and the Allegra & Leon Saady Memorial Scholarship Award.
Ashley Freundlich
High School Recipient
Ashley is a senior at Roslyn High School and she will attend the University of Delaware in the Fall. In her senior year Ashley has taken a number of college level classes, including drama, literature, and math. Ashley grew up with Sephardic traditions including Ladino phrases from her mother, and she is proud of her Sephardic heritage. Ashley is from Roslyn Heights, New York and is receiving the Moise & Eli Bensignor Memorial Scholarship Award, the Solomon Mossafia Memorial Scholarship Award, and the Henry J. Perahia & Joseph Soury Scholarship Award.
Ascher Nissim
High School Recipient
Asher is a senior at Pensacola Catholic High School and he will attend Jefferson State Community College in the Fall. Asher is a member of the National Honor Society. He also takes part in Make a Difference Day. Asher is an avid athlete and plays for the school Golf team and Baseball team. Asher could not attend today since he lives in Florida, but he is receiving the Jack & Sylvia Amar Memorial Scholarship Fund, the Bension Grotas Scholarship Award, and the Joseph Saltiel Memorial Scholarship Award of the Bronx Social Club Scholarship.
Hana Pitchon
High School Recipient
Hana is a senior at Scarsdale High School. Among her many activities, Hana is the secretary of the Scarsdale High School Class Government, vice president of the Innocence Club, treasurer of the Students Against Violence Everywhere Promise club, and a peer leader in the Scarsdale High School peer mentoring program. Hana is also the head of recruitment for BBYO. Hana lives in Scarsdale, New York and is receiving the Ladies Auxiliary of the Downtown Sisterhood Scholarship Award, the Saadi Gerassi Scholarship Award, and the Dora & Isaac Saltiel Scholarship Award.
Ariela Geron
High School Recipient
Ariela is a high school junior at North Shore Hebrew Academy. Ariela is a member of the National Honor Society and her school’s Creative writing club. Ariela participates in the school choir and composes original piano music. In addition, she performs at the school’s annual Poet’s Café. Ariela also plays for the Junior Varsity Girls Basketball team. She is from Valley Stream, New York and is receiving the High School Junior Award.
Rina Shimshi
High School Recipient
Rina is a high school junior at Charles Smith Jewish Day School. Rina enjoys horseback riding. She works part time at Wheaton Park Stables where she helps take care of the horses. In addition, she has donated to Days End Farm Horse Rescue. Rina enjoys drawing and listening to music. Rina is from Bethesda, Maryland and is receiving the High School Junior Award.
Celia Shimshi
High School Recipient
Celia is a high school junior at Charles Smith Jewish Day School. She is a member and submissions co-director of the club for Reflections which is the school’s literary magazine. She has been a part of the school’s instrumental ensemble since the fourth grade. Celia enjoys horseback riding and volunteers at Great and Small, a therapeutic riding center. She also enjoys crocheting and plans to make hats to donate to women who are undergoing chemotherapy treatments. Celia is from Bethesda, Maryland and is receiving the High School Junior Award.
We gratefully acknowledge those who have established scholarships to support future generations.
If you are interested in endowing a scholarship, please contact us at info@sephardicbrotherhood.com.
Ladies Auxiliary of the Downtown Sisterhood Scholarship Award
Sabatay Isaac Abrams & Mary S. Abrams-Cohen Memorial Scholarship
Sam and Sophie Alcheh, David and Rae Alcheh Memorial Scholarship Award
Henry & Allegra Algava Scholarship in Memory of Theresa B. Shaw
Jack & Sylvia Amar Memorial Scholarship Fund
Nissim Behar Memorial Scholarship Award
Sam & Jack Benrube Memorial Scholarship Award
Moise & Eli Bensignor Memorial Scholarship Award
Daisy & Edward Besso Memorial Scholarship Award
Beth El Congregation Scholarship Award
Brotherhood Scholarship Foundation Award
Harry Cohen Memorial Scholarship Award
Flaminio & Ida Corcos Scholarship Award
Acher & Mathilda Covo Sion Memorial Scholarship Award
Yomtov Crespi Memorial Scholarship
Jack & Esther Eskenazi Memorial Scholarship Award
Jack and Dora Ezratty Memorial Scholarship Award in memory of Vivian and Yale Ezratty
Saadi Gerassi Memorial Scholarship Award
Greek Memorial Scholarship Award
Bension Grotas Scholarship Award
Elliot and Marlene Israel Scholarship Award
Victor Matatia Memorial Scholarship Award
David & Rebecca Mayorkas Memorial Scholarship Award
Solomon Mossafia Memorial Scholarship Award
Allegra & Joseph Nathan Scholarship Award
Delicia & Abraham Nathan Memorial Scholarship Award
Henry J. Perahia & Joseph Soury Scholarship Award
Lena & Henry J. Perahia Scholarship Award
Rabbi Myron and Sarah Rakowitz Scholarship Award established by the Sephardic Jewish Center of Canarsie
Lucille B. Sarfitty Memorial Scholarship Award
Morris & Reina Raphael Memorial Scholarship Award
Esther Roza Memorial Scholarship Award
Allegra & Leon Saady Memorial Scholarship Award
Sarina & Leo Saady Scholarship Award
Dora & Isaac Saltiel Memorial Scholarship Award
Joseph Saltiel Memorial Scholarship Award of the Bronx Social Club
Joseph & Mathilda Saporta Memorial Scholarship Award
Joseph & Maurice Sasson Memorial Scholarship Award
Paul and Selma Shimshi Memorial Scholarship Fund
Gabriel & Beatrice Auslander Senor Scholarship Fund
David & Rachel Shimshi Memorial Scholarship Award
Smart Foundation Award
Jason Soury Memorial Fund Award