Jewish Community Partners

The opportunity for Memphis’s Jewish youth and young adults to embark on transformative journeys to Israel is once again within reach. As of November 1, 2025, the Memphis Jewish Federation has opened applications for its Lemsky Endowment Fund’s two signature grant programs, both designed to strengthen the connection between the Memphis Jewish community and Israel.

Established through the generosity of the late Abe Lemsky z’l, the Lemsky Endowment Fund has long been a cornerstone of support for immersive Israel experiences. These grants provide critical financial assistance for programs that range from summer trips and semester-long studies to gap-year and beyond adventures, all aimed at fostering a lifelong bond with Israel.

Federation considers immersive Israel experiences essential to nurturing a strong and enduring connection to Jewish identity and heritage. In reflections written after their trips, teens consistently describe the profound impact of their time in Israel. Lauren Paz, who used her Teen Israel Experience (TIE) grant to help offset the cost of attending Alexander Muss High School in Israel last spring, shared: “I went to Israel with a long list of things I’d use to describe myself, with Jewish/half Israeli being quite far down on that list. But as I got on that plane back home—if I can even call it that anymore—I couldn’t think of anything else to put at the top of my list but proudly and unapologetically Jewish.”

The Teen Israel Experience (TIE) Grant is tailored for Jewish students in grades 9 through 12 who reside permanently in Memphis. Whether attending a summer program, a high school semester abroad, or participating in an organized trip through groups like, though not limited to, Jacobs Camp, Camp Ramah, BBYO, NCSY/JSU, or B’nei Akiva, eligible teens may receive up to $3,000 toward their experience. Grants are paid directly to the program provider, and limited need-based scholarships of $1,000 are also available. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

A parent of a recent TIE grant recipient shared: “Thank you so much for this opportunity. My daughter gained so much from her summer program in Israel and would not have been able to participate without Federation’s Lemsky grant.”

Teens are required to engage in 15 hours of community service either for a Jewish organization in Memphis or under the auspices of one, attend a pre-trip orientation, and upon their return, submit a reflective essay on their Israel experience for publication.

For those who have graduated high school and are up to age 32, the Lemsky Next Stop Israel Grant program offers support for gap-year, semester, or summer programs. Applicants must be Jewish permanent residents of greater Memphis and enrolled in a qualifying Israel program. Grants of up to $4,000 are available, though individuals who previously received a Teen Israel Experience Grant may be eligible for up to $1,000. Like the teen grant, funds are sent directly to the program provider and do not cover travel or incidental costs. Need-based scholarships of $1,000 are also offered, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Applications for both grants are available at jcpmemphis.org/lemsky-endowment-fund. For further information, contact Lorraine Wolf at lwolf@jcpmemphis.org.