The Winkler Lowy Foundation has announced its continued support for the 'Israel at Heart' scholarship program at Reichman University in Herzliya, Israel. This initiative is dedicated to empowering Israeli students of Ethiopian descent to achieve their academic ambitions through full scholarships and living stipends. Under the leadership of Janine Winkler Lowy, the Foundation has made a tangible impact on the lives of nine Ethiopian-Israeli students.
The Winkler Lowy Foundation's support has enabled the 'Israel at Heart' program to offer these students not only financial aid but also essential resources such as laptops, tutoring, and English language assistance. Additionally, during their final year of study, participants benefit from career placement seminars, preparing them for successful professional futures.
'A quality education is the key to living an enriched, fulfilling life—and the base on which personal and economic advancement is built,' said Janine Winkler Lowy, founder of the Winkler Lowy Foundation. 'We're proud to support these talented, ambitious students as they strive to reach their academic potential at Reichman University, a global center for scholarship.'
Students participating in the 'Israel at Heart' program are pursuing a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate degrees at Reichman University, including fields such as government, diplomacy, communications, psychology, and law. This broad academic engagement underscores the program's commitment to fostering a well-rounded, educated community of Ethiopian-Israeli scholars.
With an estimated population of over 160,000 Jews of Ethiopian descent residing in Israel, the need for such educational support is significant. Many Ethiopian Jews fled to Israel to escape persecution in Africa, while others were evacuated by the Israeli government and IDF during the 1980s and 1990s. The 'Israel at Heart' program addresses the ongoing challenges faced by this community by providing opportunities for higher education and economic advancement.
Janine Winkler Lowy, a communal activist and philanthropist, has long been committed to supporting the Jewish community. Her efforts include participating in the creation of various noteworthy programs both globally and within the Los Angeles community, such as the Master of Arts in Teaching at American Jewish University and the Education Twinning Program at The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles.
The Winkler Lowy Foundation, established in 2019 by Janine Winkler Lowy and her four children, aims to ensure that all families have access to formative Jewish programming. By strengthening the future of the Jewish community and building bridges between Israel and the Diaspora, the Foundation continues to make a significant impact.
