United Jewish Federation of Stamford, New Canaan, and Darien (UJF) is proud to administer the Lilly Reiser Scholarship, an academic scholarship program that honors the legacy of Lilly E. Reiser (1924-2020). The scholarship awards $10,000 per year, renewable for up to four years, to deserving Jewish students from Connecticut and New York who demonstrate both need and merit.
About Lilly E. Reiser
Lilly Reiser was born in Moravska-Ostrava, Czechoslovakia, and endured the horrors of the Holocaust, surviving forced labor and internment at Theresienstadt, Auschwitz, and Bergen-Belsen. After her liberation in 1945, she emigrated to the United States, where she pursued her education with the help of scholarships provided by Jewish communal organizations. Lilly earned her undergraduate degree from Hunter College and a graduate degree from Columbia University’s New York School of Social Work. She dedicated over 50 years of her life to serving as a social worker in the New York City Public School system.
Grateful for the financial support she received, Lilly was committed to giving back to the Jewish community by supporting students who, like her, faced financial challenges in their pursuit of higher education. The Lilly Reiser Scholarship was established to fulfill this commitment and to honor her memory.
Scholarship Details
The Lilly Reiser Scholarship is awarded annually to Jewish students who exhibit financial need and academic excellence. The scholarship is open to students from Connecticut and New York, and each recipient receives $10,000 per year, renewable for up to four years. The scholarship aims to support students in achieving their academic dreams, just as Lilly was able to achieve hers.
Application Information
- January 27, 2025: Lilly Reiser Scholarship Application Window Opens
- March 24, 2025: Lilly Reiser Scholarship Application Deadline
- May 23, 2025: Target Date to Notify Recipient(s) of Award
For more information or to inquire about the application process, please contact UJF Deputy Director Eric Ross at eric@ujf.org.
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