JDC-Buncher Scholarship Reconnects Young Woman With Her Academic Dreams and the Jewish Community

Simona, 20, is an Economics student at a university in Buenos Aires. Education has long been a priority in her family; her parents have always sent their children to the best schools.

Before Argentina's economic crisis Simona's family owned a small but successful supermarket and her mother volunteered regularly in the Jewish community. But as sales plummeted in the country's devastating decline, her parents were forced to close the store in 2002. Simona's mother began receiving a small wage from the institution where she used to volunteer, but it wasn't nearly enough to make ends meet and eventually the family had to mortgage their house.

The family faced yet another challenge: Simona's mother was diagnosed with a chronic disease that requires expensive medicine. Her father began driving a taxi in order to afford his wife's medication.

Despite the adverse circumstances facing Simona, she was able to graduate from a prestigious high school – where students are admitted and enrolled based on academic excellence. Prior to completing high school, Simona made up her mind to study Economics in college. But her family could not afford to fund her degree. Determined to pursue a higher education, Simona turned to JDC, which awarded her a Buncher University Scholarship.

"The scholarship is like a bridge," says Simona. "It is not simply a subsidy that allows students to continue studying, but it also requires young people to engage in volunteer work which I am enthusiastic about." The scholarship has enabled Simona to attend university – where she is receiving exceptional grades – and to become reacquainted with the Jewish community. "I have established many new relationships," she adds, proudly. "I have recovered the social and community life that I thought I'd lost during this hard time."

Simona frequents a local synagogue for Kabbalat Shabbat services and to collaborate on dinner parties, serve the guests, and organize recreational activities with other young people. She also participates in Hillel, where she is attending a Social Volunteering Seminar.

"My family feels that we have completed a cycle," says Simona. While her mother can no longer volunteer and receives a JDC-provided subsidy for medicines she requires, she is proud and comforted seeing that she has successfully conveyed her spirit of brotherhood and solidarity to Simona. "It feels more rewarding to be helped when one is also helping others."