Jerusalem Fellowship Program

Ten young scholars from four countries have begun work in their chosen fields at Israeli universities or yeshivas under the new Jerusalem Fellowship program in Jewish education inaugurated this year.

The scheme originated with Leon Dulzin, chairman of the Jewish Agency and World Zionist Organization Executives. It is financed by the Bank Leumi which will provide $1 million a year for three years to bring 30 Jewish scholars from diaspora countries for one year of study in Israel. It will be followed by two years of practical work and further studies in Israel, after which the students will return to their native countries to head Jewish educational institutions.

Six of the first winners of Jerusalem Followships are Americans. Two are British and one each are from France and Argentina. Two are women. All hold at least bachelor degrees and several have Ph.Ds. They range in age from 26-35.

Hebrew University professor of philosophy Nathan Rotenstreich, who heads the Fellowship program’s academic committee, and his Hebrew University colleague, professor of education Shlomo Fox, who is academic director, told reporters yesterday that they are convinced the Jerusalem Fellowships would soon be as prestigious as the Nieman Fellowships at Harvard University for outstanding journalists.

The scholars, now studying here under the guidance of personal tutors are: Chanan Alexander, Peretz Rodman, Ellen Rosansky, Marc Rosenstein, Moshe Sokolow and Susan Wall, all from the U.S.; Alastaire Falk and Michael Gillis from Britain; Jean-Jacques Wahl of France; and Gustave Perednik of Argentina.