Local Chicago Fund Raises Money for Palestinians to Receive a Higher Education at Israel's University of Haifa
By: Community Contributor Talat Othman
Source: Chicago Tribune
The Palestinian Students Scholarship Fund was formed by six Chicago-based Palestinian Americans interested in supporting students who would not otherwise have access to higher education due to financial hardships or significant restraints. The founding members of the fund came together with the apolitical mission of creating opportunities for bright young men and women seeking advanced degrees as a means to better themselves, their families, and their communities.
Realizing the need to partner with an institution not only dedicated to the highest caliber of academic excellence but also one providing an inclusive and accepting environment for its students, faculty and staff, the group focused on University of Haifa. The city of Haifa has a considerable Palestinian-Israeli population. Within the community there are a number of financially challenged students, many who have large families and minimal income or whose parents have medical challenges or limitations and are unable to work. The synergy between the funders, the university and the city of Haifa proved to be a natural fit.
University of Haifa leadership shares the view that a strong Palestinian-Israeli middle class is good for not only the Palestinian Community but for the society as a whole. Without their extraordinary support and sensitivities, this organization would not have succeeded. To this end, The Palestinian Students Scholarship Fund was able to support 57 students in undergraduate, masters and PhD programs in the first two years.
In 2016, the funders were able to visit University of Haifa to meet with students and their families, faculty and leadership. They were heartened to learn the difference the scholarships were making in the students’ lives and were touched by their individual successes and achievements. Several students shared that they were the first in their family to attend college. The scholarship recipients described feeling uplifted that Palestinian-Americans in Chicago were thinking of them and the students committed to help others in need upon their graduations.
Though assistance of this nature may be controversial to some, The Palestinian Students Scholarship Fund believes in education above all else. The vast majority of the Palestinian-American community in Chicago that we have engaged, have encouraged the continued support and advancement of Palestinian students wherever they may live.
Having tested the procedures, monitored the progress, elected a board and officers, and registered the Fund, we are convinced of the promise these students hold and the impact we can help create by opening participation to the community at large.
Sunday, September 10th, The Palestinian Students Scholarship Fund will host two student scholarship recipients, a professor, and University of Haifa President, Ron Robin. The students will share their stories and we will celebrate their achievements with a very special dinner. It is our hope that many others will join in this effort to help create an educated Palestinian-Israeli community that abounds with opportunities, inspires dreams and breaks a cycle of poverty and stagnation.
The prophet (pbuh) said that “knowledge will lead to dignity, freedom and justice.” The Palestinian Students Scholarship Fund wants to encourage all Americans, particularly Palestinian-Americans to support this effort and witness how much hope and how much impact even a small contribution can make, ultimately encouraging other groups in other cities throughout the country.