Peter Chortek Leadership Award

Do you know a teen who demonstrates excellence in community service, leadership, and philanthropy?

The Peter Chortek Leadership Award recognizes Jewish high school students in San Diego who are making a difference in our community by taking tikkun olam to the next level through their innovative leadership and passion. Award recipients will receive:

  • $9,000 Stipend
  • $540 to establish a Donor Advised Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation
  • Professional Video about the recipient’s project

 

Peter Chortek Leadership Award Flyer

Peter Chortek Leadership Award Videos

You’re the Perfect Candidate if you:

  • Have organized and led an extraordinary tikkun olam project that has benefited others, your neighborhood, the community, the environment, or the world.
  • Have demonstrated initiative, passion and positive spirit, and have inspired others to make a difference.
  • Have created awareness about your issue, cause, or project.
  • Have a long-term vision for the growth and sustainability of your work.
  • Are currently in high school, and have been involved with your project for at least one year prior to application.
Congratulations to the 2024 Recipient!

Hayden Crocker

Hayden CrockerHayden Crocker is a junior at Canyon Crest Academy. Hayden is the founder of Go Greenish, a youth-led environmental organization and national activism movement working to bridge student empowerment and sustainability through policy, advocacy, and research. He is responsible for drafting the mission statement, recruiting the executive team and Board of Directors, creating bylaws, incorporating, filing for 501(c)(3) status, and is the face behind the initiatives and impact of Go Greenish. Hayden joined the Solana Beach Climate Action Commission as a Junior Commissioner his freshman year of high school which served as the catalyst for creating Go Greenish.

Watch Hayden’s Video

Congratulations to the 2023 Recipients!

Aiden Kleinman

Aiden KleinmanAiden Kleinman is a senior at La Jolla High School. Aiden initiated, researched, drafted, and lobbied for a San Diego Unified School District resolution on Fentanyl and Narcan Awareness/Distribution and Education in all San Diego Unified Schools. He worked with advocacy groups and successfully lobbied SDUSD Board Members to pass this resolution which affects all schools in the district, reaching approximately 120,000 students.

Watch Aiden’s Video

Remi Morris

Remi MorrisRemi Morris, a senior at Canyon Crest Academy, utilized resources and connections to enhance the mission of STEP (Support the Enlisted Project) in providing basic necessities to enlisted soldiers and their families. One of Remi’s most successful projects was starting a campaign to provide relief for the displaced sailors impacted by the explosion on board the USS Bonhomme Richard.

Watch Remi’s Video

Congratulations to the 2022 Recipients!

Elinor Amir-Lobel

Elinor Amir-LobelElinor Amir-Lobel, a senior at La Jolla Country Day, was recognized for serving as the co-president of Female Empowerment and Education of Leaders (FEEL). This is a student organization at La Jolla Country Day School campus that creates an open space to discuss issues concerning sexism and inequality in the broader community.

Watch Elinor’s Video

Kiara Blacher

Kiara BlacherKiara Blacher is a senior at Canyon Crest Academy who created Kids for a Cure, a charity organization that raises money for children suffering from medical issues. Kiara has made it her mission to promote accessibility to support and provide medical care for those who cannot afford it.

Watch Kiara’s Video

Kate Chasin

Kate ChasinKate Chasin is a senior at Canyon Hills and is the co-chair of the Student Wellness Education Awareness and Resources (SWEAR) Committee. SWEAR is a student-led group that advocates for student mental health in the San Diego Unified School District.

Watch Kate’s Video

Congratulations to the 2021 Recipients!

Lola and Sophie Bulkin

Sophie and Lola BulkinLola and Sophie Bulkin will be beginning their senior year at Del Norte High School and are the co-Founders of the Together as One movement. These twins, together with a childhood friend, created this movement to educate teens about the prejudices experienced by their peers to eliminate those biases and spread unity and positivity. They spread this message by sharing their own stories, spreading kindness throughout the community, and bringing people together. Lola and Sophie have also placed importance on donating money to various causes, including teen mental health. Their message has reached ten high school campuses both locally and internationally.

Watch Lola and Sophie’s Video

Ashley Cohen

Ashley CohenAshley Cohen will be beginning her senior year at the Lawrenceville School and created Helping the Hungry Virtually. Ashley saw how many members of the community were being affected by COVID-19 and wanted to help provide those people with as much food as possible. Her project is now in seven states around the country and has provided over 200 families with gift cards to various supermarkets. Ashley found a group of teens from all over the nation and united them with the common interest of helping people dealing with food insecurity due to COVID-19. Ashley is committed to continuing this project into the future.

Watch Ashley’s Video

Natalie Goldwasser

Natalie Goldwasser Natalie Goldwasser will be beginning her senior year at The Bishops School. Her project addresses the issue of education inequity. Natalie started her own organization called Kids Too that has donated over five thousand dollars’ worth of school supplies to students at under-resourced schools across San Diego County. She made it her mission to inspire others who are driven towards community service to go out and pursue that idea. Natalie said that from a young age she cared about the under-privileged students at her school and wanted to do something to help. She has made that vision a reality.

Watch Natalie’s Video

Abigail Holman

Abigail HolmanAbigail Holman will be beginning her senior year at La Jolla Country Day and is the current president of Serving Spoons, a nonprofit organization that prepares and delivers healthy meals to families in need. Abigail assumed the leadership role in July of 2018, and has poured herself into the organization, increasing the number of people they help from 17 to 32 people, in 10 different families, each month. Abigail combines her love of cooking with her passion for community service to help those who suffer from food insecurity. Abigail believes that the best part is not just serving others, it is getting to talk the people she is helping and learn more about them.

Watch Abigail’s Video

About Peter Chortek (z”l)

His passion and focus was Jewish education, believing quality Jewish education would ensure a vibrant Jewish future.

JL Scholarship

Supporting individuals on probation or parole to develop skills to benefit their future employment.

The JL Scholarship Fund provides assistance to formerly incarcerated individuals currently on probation or parole in San Diego County who are seeking training to develop skills that will benefit their current and future employment opportunities, enabling them to better support themselves and their families. Applicants must plan to attend an accredited nonprofit college, university, or training institution after which they will have learned new skills, acquired new certifications, or attained a higher level of academic achievement directly related to their future employment opportunities.

  • Scholarship awards are typically between $1,000 and $3,000 per applicant annually. If an award is made, the scholarship will be renewable until the completion of the training or certificate, up to 2 years, contingent upon the recipient confirming financial need or other criteria the Committee sets annually.
  • Scholarship applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and students must begin their training within 12 months of receiving an award.

 

Apply for the JL Scholarship Here

JL Scholarships

You’re the Perfect Candidate if you:

  • Reside in San Diego County.

  • Currently be on probation or parole following a period of incarceration.

  • Plan to enroll in trade-based education at an accredited non-profit college, university, or training institution.

  • Demonstrate a financial need.

  • Explain how the training will enhance their employment opportunities.


Jeffrey D. Sollender
Jeffrey D. Sollender

Jeffrey D. Sollender Scholarship

Recognizing outstanding teens excelling in entrepreneurial ventures, community service, or in the workplace.

Jeff Sollender was a highly accomplished entrepreneur, businessman and philanthropist with boundless energy and optimism who was always available to help others in pursuit of their dreams. He was the founder and/or board member of numerous biotech companies and is remembered for his wit, brilliance, creativity and devotion to his family. The Scholarship was established to continue his legacy of helping others to achieve their potential and contribute to the world.

  • Up to $16,000 over four years will be awarded to each selected graduating high school senior in San Diego County who plans to attend a four-year college or university. Funds may be applied to college tuition, room and board, and fees.

 

Apply for the Sollender Scholarship Here

2024 Sollender Scholarship Flyer

You’re the Perfect Candidate if you:

  • Graduating high school senior in San Diego County who plans to attend a four-year college or university. Funds may be applied to college tuition, room and board, and fees.

  • Must demonstrate outstanding achievement in entrepreneurial ventures, community service, or the workplace.

  • Have a minimum 3.2/4.0 GPA.

  • Have a gross family income of no more than $80,000 per year.

  • Provide a completed FAFSA or CA Dream Act and Student Aid Report (SAR).


Jim Lewis
Jim Lewis

Delta Scholarship

Supporting college-bound minority students dedicated to furthering their higher education.

Jim Lewis, of blessed memory, was a strong supporter of his local community. At the Jewish Community Foundation, Jim served in leadership roles on several committees, and participated in many programs, such as the Endowment Leadership Institute and the Create a Jewish Legacy program, being one of the first to create a Book of Life video, a community archive of those who are committed to the future of the Jewish community. Jim also served several other Jewish organizations, including as President of Temple Emanu-El, and as a board member of the Jewish Federation of San Diego County. In the secular community, Jim was involved with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the City Club of San Diego.

Professionally, Jim was a successful financial advisor and often contributed his expertise in finance and investments to the community organizations with which he was involved. Jim, along with members of his family, believed strongly in philanthropy and creating meaningful legacies. We are honored to facilitate Jim’s wishes to support local students – especially minority students – as they pursue their dreams of higher education.

  • This scholarship is a 4-year award contingent upon the recipient confirming financial need or other criteria set by the Committee annually.
  • Awards up to $10,000 per student, per year

 

2022 Delta Scholarship Flyer

You’re the Perfect Candidate if you:

  • Reside in San Diego County.

  • Are a graduating high school senior planning to attend an accredited nonprofit two or four-year college or university.

  • Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA.

  • Demonstrate a financial need.

Looking for additional funding sources for college?

Hebrew Free Loan Association

Hebrew Free Loan of San Diego | Affordable Interest-Free Loans (hflsd.org)
HFLSD offers interest-free loans to the Jewish community of San Diego County, fostering financial stability and opportunity. Education loans for tuition, fees, books, or living expenses are available to students who will be enrolled at least half-time at an accredited college, university or licensed vocational school.

The Jewish Family Service - David Rubinstein Memorial Scholarship

JFS-David Rubenstein Memorial Scholarship – JFSSD
The JFS-David Rubenstein Memorial Scholarship provides grants to local Jewish students who plan to attend college or vocational school. The program awards scholarships of up to $5,000, based on financial need, academic performance, and community involvement.

Hillel International Database of Scholarships for Jewish Students

Hillel International Scholarships
Scholarships are open to students who identify as Jewish, who are attending or preparing to attend four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada Applicants must be students in good standing with their current academic institution, and must have a GPA of 2.5 or above.

Diller Tikkun Olam Awards

Diller Teen Awards
Each year, the Helen Diller Family Foundation awards $36,000 per student to fifteen Jewish U.S. teens for exceptional leadership and engagement initiatives making the world a better place.