Student Programs

The Fruma and Murray Berger Scholarship in Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust

This $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student whose original work makes a meaningful contribution to the study of Jewish resistance—spiritual, cultural, and armed—during one of the darkest chapters of human history. The award is intended to encourage students to engage deeply with this history, helping to preserve memory, advance historical understanding, and inspire future generations with stories of resilience and courage.

Read more about Fruma and Murray Berger
Deadline to Apply: December 31, 2025

Eligibility:

Applicants must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited college or university.

Professors are encouraged to give independent study credits to students who complete their research requirements and provide a submission.

Requirements:

Applicants must complete the scholarship application form and submit the following materials:

• Scholarly essay, play, or novella based on original research and demonstrates critical engagement with both primary and secondary sources.
• Works cited page that lists all primary and secondary sources consulted. Citations should follow a standard academic format (MLA, Chicago, or APA) and include complete information so that sources can be easily located. Applicants are expected to cite responsibly and accurately to demonstrate the integrity of their scholarship.
• Personal statement (maximum 500 words) describing the applicant’s academic background, future goals, and specific interest in the history of Jewish resistance.
• Statement of use of scholarship funds (maximum 500 words) explaining how the award would support the applicant’s studies and academic development.

All documents must be submitted as a PDF. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Prohibited Tools:

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) to generate or write submissions is strictly prohibited. Any evidence of AI-generated content will result in disqualification.

Selection and Notification:

All submissions will be reviewed by a committee of Holocaust scholars and educators. The recipient will be notified in April 2026, and the award will be announced publicly on the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach website and through the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.

Young Lion of Judah Program

In partnership with the Jewish Volunteer Center of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, the Young Lion of Judah Program offers a unique opportunity for B’nai Mitzvah students and their families to form meaningful, intergenerational connections with local Holocaust survivors.

Over six weeks, students preparing to become Bar or Bat Mitzvah meet regularly with a survivor partner to build a personal relationship and learn to share their story. Through these one-on-one meetings, participants gain a deeper understanding of Jewish history, resilience, and responsibility, adding powerful significance to their B’nai Mitzvah journey.

The program includes guided sessions on Holocaust history, ethical storytelling, and interview skills, culminating in a meaningful graduation ceremony. Students receive up to 10 hours of community service credit, and each participant is honored with a silver tallit clip or bracelet to mark their contribution to Holocaust memory.

For more information about the Young Lion of Judah Program, please contact us at info@holocaustmemorialmiamibeach.org.

Student Ambassador Program

The Holocaust Memorial’s Student Ambassador Program empowers High School students to become knowledgeable advocates for Holocaust education, remembrance, and action. Designed as a three-year learning journey, the program invites students to engage deeply with Holocaust history and contemporary antisemitism through firsthand testimony, immersive technologies, and peer collaboration.

Each year, students attend monthly in-person sessions at the Holocaust Memorial from January through March, featuring:

• Survivor testimony: Each session includes direct engagement with Holocaust survivors who share their lived experiences.
• Innovative learning tools: Students interact with “Dimensions in Testimony,” an interactive survivor exhibit, and view virtual reality films to explore historical sites and personal stories.
• Leadership development: By Year 3, students take on active leadership roles, mentoring younger peers, facilitating group discussions, and helping guide advocacy projects.

In April and May, students design and implement final projects in their schools, ranging from awareness campaigns to storytelling initiatives and action-based advocacy, bringing the lessons of the Holocaust into their communities.

Through this program, students gain historical knowledge, empathy, and the tools to confront antisemitism and hate in all its forms.

For more information about the Student Ambassador Program, please contact us at info@holocaustmemorialmiamibeach.org.

Rita Rubinoff Goldberg Essay Contest

Held annually in honor of Rita Rubinoff Goldberg – an esteemed Miami Beach Senior High alumna remembered for her unwavering respect and kindness – the essay contest invites students to reflect on the lasting impact of the Holocaust and their role in combating hatred today.

Open exclusively to Miami Beach Senior High School students, the contest challenges participants to explore themes of memory, responsibility, and civic action through historical understanding and personal reflection. In 2025, students responded to a prompt commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the liberation of the camps.

The deadline for this year’s contest has passed. Next year’s prompt will be announced in early 2026.