Alumni Spotlight - Sephardic Scholars Program

As a middle and highschooler, I have memories of my grandfather, Sol Niego z”l, a former Central Council and Scholarship Committee member, carrying around Sephardic Scholarship applications in case he had a moment to review them. He spoke highly of each applicant, in awe of all their accomplishments and happy that the future of Sephardic Jewry was in their hands. Therefore, receiving scholarships for the past two years from the Sephardic Jewish Brotherhood of America is an enormous honor because I know firsthand the time and consideration put into reviewing applications, and because I know my grandfather would beam with pride.

In 2023 I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a BS in Psychology and Spanish, with my Sephardic roots inspiring me to study and obtain a degree in Spanish. In college I joined the Central Council as a junior member, continuing my grandfather’s legacy. Additionally, I served as a Sephardi House Fellow through the American Sephardi Federation, creating a defined Sephardic community on my college campus and sharing Sephardic traditions and values with all Jews. 

Currently, I am in my final year of my Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program at Washington University School of Medicine. Receiving scholarships from the Sephardic Jewish Brotherhood of America has reduced the financial strain of graduate school and made one of my biggest goals possible, moving to New York City. For the past two months I have been a student intern at NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital in the adult inpatient rehabilitation unit, where I will also complete my capstone project before I graduate at the end of July. 

Besides financial support, I also feel supported in other ways by members of the Brotherhood. One of the Central Council members is an occupational therapist, and she has offered her support by speaking with me about the occupational therapy school application process, reviewing my admissions essays, and answering any other questions I have had throughout graduate school. Additionally, when I mentioned that I am an occupational therapy student to someone at the young professionals’ Tu Bishvat event, they connected me with their friend who is an occupational therapist, helping me expand my network as I begin to look for occupational therapy jobs in New York City within the next few months. These are just two examples of how Sephardic Jews look out for each other. 

What’s next for me? Once I graduate with my Occupational Therapy Doctorate degree, I will study to take my occupational therapy licensure exam and begin applying for occupational therapy positions in New York City. Also, I look forward to serving my second term on the Central Council as a young adult member. And now that I live in New York, I am excited to attend more in-person events, especially young professionals’ events, and increase my in-person involvement. I am incredibly grateful for the Brotherhood’s investment in my career. Their generosity proves their commitment to the next generation of Sephardim, which inspires me to continue practicing Sephardic customs with pride.

If you are interested in learning more about the Sephardic Scholarship Program, including opportunities to endow a named scholarship in honor or in memory of a loved one, please reach out to Ethan Marcus at ethan@sephardicbrotherhood.com or call 718-685-0080.

Ariella Levy is a 4th generation Brotherhood member and a young adult representative on the Central Council. She is currently pursuing an Occupational Therapy Doctorate degree at the University of Washington at St. Louis.