The Program in Jewish Studies offers competitive fellowships for undergraduates who are currently enrolled at Rice. These fellowships are intended to assist students who are involved with Jewish Studies and who want to pursue a special project related to Jewish Studies in the U.S. or abroad.
We also offer travel scholarships for students who want to study in Israel. Students who receive special funding from the Program in Jewish Studies are expected to write a report of their activities within 3 months of their return. See below for deadlines, links to application resources, and fellowship reports from past years.
The Desirée and Max Blankfeld Fellowship for Jewish Studies
The Desirée and Max Blankfeld Fund for Jewish Studies was created out of the recognition that it is of the utmost importance to support the program at Rice University for both Jewish and non-Jewish students. The fund aims to enable students to study the rich tradition of Jewish heritage in its various cultural, religious, historical, and geographical contexts.
Desirée and Max Blankfeld are pleased to support Rice Jewish Studies. “Even though the Jewish people were dispersed from their homeland for thousands of years, no matter where they lived, all the aspects of Jewish heritage remained an integral part of their lives. Jewish values, culture, and history were and continue to be shared around the world, which is what has preserved the existence of Jews as a people-nation despite all odds.
It is our hope that the Program in Jewish Studies at Rice University will lead towards a better understanding of Jewish perspectives and identities, religious and national. It is with this context in mind that the Desirée and Max Blankfeld Fund for Jewish Studies offers its support."
The Sosland Family Fellowship for Jewish Studies
The purpose of the Sosland Family Fellowship for Jewish Studies is to support Rice undergraduate students who study abroad or conduct research in connection with the Program in Jewish Studies. Students who wish to pursue a study abroad program related to Jewish Studies or a research project that involves travel are invited to apply for funding.
Students must submit applications to jewishstudies@rice.edu by April 5th, 2024.
DOWNLOAD APPLICATION
View student reports.
2022: Sydney Rodman, Rachel Rosenthal, Lindsey Schirn, Grace Stewart
2020: Arija Forsyth, Danielle Kessler, Sophia Pereira, Sophie Reitich, Maddy Scannell
2019: Sofia Gereta, Rebecca Topper
2018: Daniel Cohen, Rose Kantorczyk, Nik Liebster, Sophia Pereira, Daniel Russell, Abigal Shulman, Katie Webber
2017: Chloe Wilson, Gary Dreyer, Isaac Schultz (fall semester)
2016: Minoti Kale, Michael Portal, Yosef Pressburger
2015: Sparrow Gates, Michael Robinson
2014: Marica Sharashenidze, Leah Topper
2013: Charles Danan, Kristian Edosomwan
2012: Jessi Litman, Farrah Madanay, Chansun Park
2011: Yan Digilov, Michelle Shapiro, Eli Spector