Los Angeles, CA 7/18/18 – In a moving and memorable ceremony held in Israel on July 11, 2018, NA’AMAT recognized the latest recipients of the NA’AMAT Professional Scholarships.  With nearly 200 recipients including 4 research grants in chemistry and pharmacology and 4 research grants in Gender Studies, these scholarships have allowed deserving Israeli women to pursue their undergraduate and post graduate educations at various colleges and universities throughout Israel.

In addition to its ongoing mission to serve and empower working women, single mothers and at-risk teens, NA’AMAT USA also strives each year to advance the educational and professional careers of as many women as possible with this flagship Professional Scholarship Program.  The International Director of NA’AMAT Israel, Shirli Shavit explained the genesis of this important program saying, “The scholarship program began more than four decades ago thanks to genuine pioneer women of NA’AMAT USA who had a vision and wanted to assist in advancing higher education among women in Israel.”  Today the Na’amat Scholarship Fund is known throughout the academic world, illustrating the importance that NA’AMAT attaches to advancing higher education among young women in Israel.

The criteria for selection ensures that qualifying women from all of Israel’s social circles are fairly represented. Many of the best and brightest of Israel’s most talented young women come from homes that lack the financial resources enabling them to continue their studies at the university level. By offering scholarship support, NA’AMAT ensures that these women of merit can develop the skills and get the education they need to realize their dreams and make their contributions to Israeli society.

This year’s ceremony also marked the inauguration of a scholarship named for a former NA’AMAT USA President and long-time Florida resident Harriet Green who passed away in 2017.  Green, a life member of NA’MAT since 1962 served as President of NA’AMAT USA from 1989-1993. She was also very active throughout her life in a variety of Zionist organizations in the Miami-Dade area including the World Zionist Organization, the American Zionist Federation and the World Zionist Congress.

To fully appreciate the impact of these scholarships, one needs only to hear from a few of this year’s nearly 200 recipients:

“I would like to thank you for the scholarship I have received from you. This scholarship is a great help to me. Your financial support encouraged me to keep studying hard and search for new strategies to treat Alzheimer’s disease.”

“I would like to express my thanks for the scholarship I received. My research in the field of Microelectronics will hopefully keep Israel at the forefront of today’s science and technology. Your help is enabling me to be a part of this exciting effort.”

“I grew up with a challenging economic background. I thank you with all my heart for this important contribution that NA’AMAT granted me — a scholarship that shows me that there are those who believe in me and in the important research I am doing for disadvantaged women in society.”