On April 29 the Palm Beach Section of the National Council of Jewish Women, including its Valencia Shores Branch and South Point Division, at The Villaggio Social Hall, Lake Worth, FL. awarded scholarships to 14 men and women to enable them to pursue their academic careers

The scholarship event recognized many women who have faced domestic abuse, homelessness and unemployment, and have had the strength and determination to return to school, get their GED’s where necessary, and enroll in institutions of higher education.

Recipients included a mother and daughter, both of whom have overcome huge obstacles in their personal lives, to continue their education Three young men also received scholarships, one whose family fled from Bosnia Herzogovena to Germany; and then, from Germany to the United States when he was six years old. He learned a new language in each country, and excels in science while participating in a wide variety of school activities. The other young men will be following their career paths in the theater arts.

The recipients of this year’s scholarships were: Alexander Anderson, Catheline Andre, Felicienne Celestin, Gladys Giraldo, Rebecca Gollin, Tiffany Hershberger, Kimberly Hester, Fedja Hadribasic, Sharonda Kinsler, Deborah Levinsky, Camilla Olivera, Dykia Passard, Jesus “Alex” Solis, and Benjamin Viertel.

The National Council of Jewish Women works with Kids @ Home/Turtle Nest Village, Adopt A Family, the Guatemalan May Center and other local crisis service providers that they work with throughout the year through community service projects to select applicants for these scholarships.

Members of the scholarship committee included: Helene Askinazi, Marjory Bessen, Carol Chodos, Erna Lindner-Gilbert, Sandy Hendrick, Joyce Kantrowitz, Barbara S. Katz, Debbie Klapper, Abby Rosenblum, Barbara Shprecher, Carolyn Silbey, Gail Siegel, Judy Traub, Linda Unger and Ruth Zalaznick.