The Envoy

The Jewish Foundation for the Education of Women Scholars Program (JFEW) at Hunter College provides financial support, internship placement and professional development opportunities for students. Scholars receive mentorship, career workshops and funding, including support for unpaid internships, designed to help them build meaningful careers in public service. While the program has historical roots in supporting Jewish women, applicants do not have to be Jewish to apply. 

When Martina Dimitrova, now a junior majoring in English with a minor in Italian, first considered applying to Hunter College’s JFEW Scholars Program, she almost convinced herself not to.

Dimitrova said she initially questioned whether she was “enough” for a scholarship focused on leadership and public service. 

“I wasn’t sure how to provoke a tangible effect with my majors,” she said. “I felt a little imposter syndrome at first.”

But after stepping outside her comfort zone and applying during the spring of her sophomore year, she found a program that reshaped her perspective on impact, community and her own potential in society. She realized that she did not have to change her major to make a difference. Volunteering and engaging in community work became ways to live out her values while continuing her academic path. 

For Isabella Youssef, a senior double majoring in history and Jewish studies with a minor in political science, the appeal of the program was both professional and personal. 

“I’m a feminist, and I like being part of a women’s organization,” Youssef said. 

She first learned about the program through the Eve Kastan Grove Fellowship at Roosevelt House at Hunter College and was drawn to its emphasis on leadership and accessibility. 

“They really care about the women in the program. They offer many resources to help you succeed,” Youssef said. 

Through JFEW, Youssef secured an internship at Global Kids, a nonprofit organization focused on curriculum development. She said the program not only connected her to opportunities but also prepared her to succeed in them, from interview preparation to public speaking and professional communication skills. 

At a commuter campus like Hunter, where building community can feel difficult, Youssef said the program offered something beyond career preparation. 

“They sponsor fun events and outings,” she said. “Even if public service isn’t your major, it’s a great chance to make friends.”

From networking workshops to self-care events and tuition and travel stipends, the program, she said, invested in scholars’ professional and personal growth. 

Eligible applicants must be current sophomores with at least a 3.0 GPA, demonstrate financial need and be enrolled full-time during the program. Students must also show a commitment to the field of public service and attend five workshops or events per semester. Those enrolled in the CUNY Macaulay Honors Program or other advanced programs are not eligible. 

The application is available on the JFEW Scholars Program website, where students must submit a resume, answer general questions and write a short essay explaining how their experiences and interests align with the program and how they hope to grow through it. 

Interested students are encouraged to apply before March 2.