Recognizing students who make a difference

The Nancy and Robert Eskow NCJW Service Award is bestowed annually on graduating high school seniors from Essex County who have demonstrated a commitment and dedication to making life better for others locally or globally. The award winners reflect the mission and values of The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) through their commitment and dedication to community service projects and advocacy experience during their high school career. Students recognized as award winners are honored with an award certificate and a minimum award check of $500 to be used towards their college expenses.

Click here to download an application. Deadline is April 1, 2013.

The Nancy and Robert Eskow NCJW Service Award was established to reflect the mission and values of The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), a nonsectarian, grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.

Read about the 2012 winners of the Eskow Award

Four Essex County Students Win the Ninth Annual Nancy and Robert Eskow NCJW Service Award

The National Council of Jewish Women, Essex County Section (NCJW/Essex) gave four exemplary Essex county high school students its ninth annual Nancy and Robert Eskow NCJW Service Award.

Each year, NCJW/Essex honors graduating high school seniors who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment and dedication to making life better for others on either a local or global basis. Winners receive $500 and a commemorative certificate.

Aaron Buechler, Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School senior and aspiring politician, focused his efforts on supporting Israel and his local community. An honor student, Aaron was president of the Israel Action Committee and the Anti-Defamation League, and established an international newsletter entitled Ner Chochama Shel Yisrael that is distributed via email to thousands of teens worldwide. His dedication to organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Friendship Circle and Yachad, led to his receipt of the Rabbi Abraham Wahrhaftig community service award. He participated in a conference call with President Barack Obama, had breakfast with Senator Robert Menendez and conversed with Israeli ambassador Michael Oren. Aaron will spend a year in Israel studying at Yeshivat Sha’alvim before attending college.

Olivia Mason, Glen Ridge High School senior and future archeologist, has a passion for working with children. Her commitment to volunteerism began as a tutor for Primary Pals where she served as an afterschool teacher and mentor for second grade students. She successfully organized the first skin cancer screening event at Glen Ridge High School benefitting the Ray Festa Melanoma Foundation. As the president of the Glen Ridge High School chapter of Girls’ Learn International, she was able to make a difference by interacting with their partner school The Veerni School in Jodhpur, India. Olivia, a member of the National Honor Society and the Hispanic Honor Society, plans to attend University of Michigan.

Aisha Rivera, Senior at Newark’s Central High School, made her mark as a vocal student advocate dedicated to improving conditions within the school system and encouraging students to pursue their higher education. As a leader in her school’s Youth Media Symposium, her work involved speaking at advisory board meetings, moderating and serving on panels, and raising awareness about the critical issues facing Newark students. Her efforts on the launch of a campaign designed to insure an equal level of college preparedness for all Newark high schools students gained support from the Newark Public Schools Superintendent. Aisha looks forward to attending Tuskegee University.

Fantasia Williams, a senior at Science Park High School in Newark, is a dedicated leader in her school and community. Fantasia is a founding member and president of the Science Park Key Club where she organized an array of activities ranging from book and toy drives to soup kitchen and animal shelter visits. The club partners with such organizations as National Honor Society and the Gay Straight Alliance. She is most proud of its annual collaboration with Surviving Mothers with Aids where every December they participate in a holiday celebration for children who lost their parents to AIDS or themselves suffer from HIV or AIDS. Fantasia will realize her dream of attending Howard University pursuing a degree in sociology.

“NCJW is proud to honor this group of extraordinary students who each, in their own way, made a significant contribution to their community and beyond,” said Karen Cherins, President, NCJW/Essex.”