JBI Library, the nonprofit that supports connection to Jewish life for anyone who is blind, has low vision or has a print disability, is proud to announce more than $180,000 in scholarships awarded to 18 Jewish students who are legally blind through its 2025 Nathan L. and Suzanne K. Wolfson Merit Award. This year marks the program’s largest cohort yet, with recipients pursuing degrees across a wide range of fields in both the United States and Israel.
The award, established in 2018, honors Jewish students who are blind and demonstrate academic distinction and a strong connection to Jewish life. This year’s recipients span disciplines from clinical psychology and Jewish history to law and political science, reflecting the diversity of ways these scholars contribute to both the Jewish world and broader society.
“These students have worked hard to reach this point, and it’s exciting to see them getting the recognition and support they deserve,” said JBI Library executive director Michelle Shapiro Abraham. “Each is pursuing their goals, contributing to their communities and building futures full of possibility for us all. We’re proud to celebrate with them and to see this program grow to include even more students from around the world.”
This year’s scholars hail from leading institutions such as the University of California, Berkeley; the University of Virginia; the University of Georgia; Bar-Ilan University; and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The growing inclusion of supporting Jewish students from around the world, including Israel, reflects JBI’s deepening global commitment to accessible Jewish life and education.
“Being selected for the Wolfson Fund not only assists me materially, but also carries symbolic significance: It reflects a broader recognition of the value and potential of students with disabilities in academia,” said Harel Chait, a Ph.D. student in business administration at Bar-Ilan University in Israel. “It affirms that excellence takes many forms and that structural barriers can and should be addressed through meaningful support.”
A clinical psychology doctoral student at Spalding University and repeat awardee, Jack McPadden, said: “This scholarship allows me to continue to embrace my passion for delivering culturally responsive mental health services in systemically marginalized communities as part of my broader commitment to tikkun olam. As I strive to earn my doctoral degree, and as I continue my work with clients, I hope to make a positive impact in the lives of others through a client-centered approach to psychological assessment, diagnosis and psychotherapy.”
Feiga Zaslavski, an artist and educator pursuing a master’s in education at Gordon College of Education, said: “Receiving this scholarship carries deep personal and professional meaning for me. I am an artist and educator working with gifted children. Although I am visually impaired, I continue to teach, study and grow. I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in gifted education, and my research focuses on developing ways to remain in the teaching profession, even in the event of further vision loss. The Wolfson Scholarship eases the financial pressure of tuition and allows me to devote more energy to what truly matters—continuing my education and my work with children. More than that, it makes me feel recognized and supported—not only as a student, but as a person walking a difficult but meaningful path.”
Individual awards ranged from approximately $7,000 to $14,000, and many are renewable. Since its founding, the Wolfson Merit Award program has distributed nearly $500,000 in scholarships. Applications for the 2026 scholarship will open in December.
For more information, or to be notified when the details for the next application cycle become available, visit: jbilibrary.org/about-us/wolfson.
Meet the 2025 Wolfson Merit Scholars
- Kineret Abarjel, master’s in organizational consulting and development (Rehovot University)
- Harel Chait, Ph.D. in business administration (Bar-Ilan University)
- Inbal Gal, master’s in political science, public administration (University of Haifa)
- Or Gal, bachelor’s in law (University of Haifa)
- Rahel Hen Kimhi, master’s in social work (Ben-Gurion University)
- Lior Koby, master’s in sociology and anthropology, organizational consulting (Bar-Ilan University)
- Tal Koby, bachelor’s in teaching (Kibbutzim College)
- Elliot Lapp, bachelor’s in business management (University of Georgia)
- Noa Malka, bachelor’s (Tel Aviv University)
- Jack McPadden, doctorate in clinical psychology (Spalding University)
- Sarit Negrin Avidar, executive MBA (Bar-Ilan University)
- Shai Seban, Ph.D. in history (Bar-Ilan University)
- Joseph Silfen, doctorate in clinical psychology (Touro University)
- Daniel Solomon, Ph.D. in history (University of California, Berkeley)
- Edna Teherany Rokach, bachelor’s in digital marketing and communications (Ono Academic College)
- Matan Teherany Rokach, master’s in Jewish history (Hebrew University)
- Nola Timmins, master’s in architecture (University of Virginia)
- Feiga Zaslavski, master’s of education in inclusive education (Gordon College of Education)
About the Nathan L. Wolfson Scholarship
The Nathan L. and Suzanne K. Wolfson Merit Award, established in 2018, is an annual scholarship program honoring the legacy of Nathan L. Wolfson and Suzanne K. Wolfson. Awarded by the Wolfson Fund, this scholarship recognizes academically exceptional Jewish students who are legally blind or have significant vision impairments. The program offers awards ranging from $2,500 to $15,000, supporting high-achieving undergraduate and graduate students around the world.
For more information, visit: jbilibrary.org/about-us/wolfson.
