(May 11, 1982 – August 14, 2004)
There are people who enter this world with tremendous gifts. Some are bright, others compassionate; some search for meaning, others strive for success.
Noah Cohen, a student here at Congregation Har HaShem, embodied all of these qualities and more! Noah grew up here and was in Rabbi Deborah Bronstein’s Confirmation class where he appreciated the discussions, debates and the learning.
Noah was liked and respected by peers and adults. He was a successful student, an avid reader, and a positive role model. One of Noah’s teachers even thought of him as noble for his graciousness and generosity.
Like many teens, unfortunately, Noah began to face struggles. While he wanted to be a part of something meaningful, he also battled with depression and mental illness. In Confirmation class, he found a safe place to explore ideas, to seek out meaning, to be his authentic self.
When Noah was only 22 years old, he took his own life.
His parents, who love him, and his community, who remembers him fondly, established this scholarship fund to remember him and his gifts. One of those gifts was the value he placed in his search for meaning. We encourage our Confirmation students to apply for this scholarship by submitting entries that reflect their search for meaning. We remember Noah as a young man who was a seeker and we encourage our students to be seekers, too.
Scholarship Award Winners
David McCool - 2024
Hannah Burdette - 2024
Elijah Avery - 2023
Noa Greene - 2019
Finalists: Sophie Frankel; Lucy Atwell (writing) and Lucy Atwell (art)
Jordan Zicklin - 2018
Molly Kodish - 2017
Maggie Atwell - 2016
Aaron Keller - 2014
Application Information
Who is eligible:
Confirmation students at Congregation Har HaShem. The scholarship will not be based on financial need.
Judging:
The Rabbi, Cantor and Director of Lifelong Learning will serve on a committee to review submissions. This group of people may be expanded to include others with their unanimous agreement.
Submissions:
Students should submit an essay that is between 400-600 words; or an artistic presentation which can include: painting, drawing, photography, music composition, or video production. All submissions need to respond to one of these questions:
How has one of your most significant challenges brought meaning into your life?
What brings meaning to your life?
How do you search for meaning in your life?
In addition, these questions need to address how Judaism - in any of its authentic aspects (spirituality, learning, community, social justice, etc.) plays a role in the response to the questions above.
Scholarship awards:
A $500 scholarship can be allocated from the Noah Cohen Scholarship Fund for one student per year. The scholarship is for use towards a program that will encourage the student to seek out meaning through Jewish experiences. This scholarship can be used towards a NFTY program, a program within the Union for Reform Judaism and Religious Action Center, a Jewish summer camp experience, an Israel Summer experience, a Jewish teen or college student seminar or conference, or other Jewish programs with the approval of the rabbi.
