Businessman sets up memorial scholarships

An American businessman established academic scholarships for University of Haifa students in memory of the 119 soldiers killed in last summer’s Second Lebanon War. The $1,000 scholarships are for students who have served in the Israel Defense Forces.Younes Nazarian, the sponsor of the 119 scholarships, said in a press release that he “couldn’t think of a more fitting way to memorialize the soldiers” because Israel’s two biggest priorities are IDF service and education.The university announced the scholarships at its Board of Governors meeting, which had family members of some of the fallen soldiers in attendance. Among them was the mother of Sgt. Ya’ar Ben-Giat. Erez Inbar, who was wounded in the war, received the scholarship named for Giat.Expressing appreciation for the scholarship program, Ira Ben-Giat said, “[I] want to be a part of anything that reminds of life. I wanted to meet Erez and am so happy he will receive the scholarship named for Ya’ar.”