LA federation gets $20 million donation, biggest ever

(JTA) — The Jewish Federation of Los Angeles announced the biggest donation in its history, a $20 million gift from the Brawerman family to provide college scholarships.

On Wednesday, the federation announced the donation by philanthropist Geri Brawerman on behalf of her and her late husband, and the establishment of the Geri & Richard Brawerman Leadership Institute.

To start, the gift will allow the federation to sustain the Brawerman Fellowship, which will reward $10,000 annual college scholarships to 10 high school seniors from the Los Angeles area. Scholarship recipients must demonstrate academic strength and commitment to leadership, community service and Jewish engagement, as well as financial need. The students will be required to participate in community service and be a mentor to future fellows.

Brawerman said she hopes the couple’s “legacy now includes a program that builds leadership and ensures the Jewish future by both supporting the educational goals of Jewish high school students and giving them the experiences and skills they’ll draw upon as future stewards of Jewish Los Angeles. It is my dream that the students we empower today will lead the community tomorrow.”