Aaron and Rita Slom Scholarship Fund for Freedom and Diversity

The Aaron and Rita Slom Scholarship Fund for Freedom and Diversity was created in March of 2003 by friends and family to honor Aaron and Rita Slom’s 50th wedding anniversary. Aaron participated in the ongoing vitalization of Touro Synagogue and was congregation president in the 1960s. Rita is a vital member of both the congregation and the Touro Synagogue Foundation and was the first woman to become congregation president in 1999. The scholarship fund honors Aaron’s memory and Rita’s continued vision for educating future generations.

The fund provides a minimum of two college scholarships for high school seniors. Those interested in applying must submit an interpretive written work focusing on the George Washington Letter in context with the present time. When George Washington visited Touro Synagogue in August, 1790, he wrote “To the Hebrew Congregation in Newport Rhode Island” that “happily the Government of the United States…gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance….” These words have made Touro Synagogue an international symbol of religious freedom.

The presentation of the awards takes place at Touro Synagogue in Newport, RI,  during the annual reading of the George Washington Letter. Scholarship award recipients are encouraged to attend.

Guidelines:

1. The scholarships are for high school seniors who plan to enroll in an institute of higher learning for a minimum of 6 credits. The institution can be public and has no geographic limitations. (You do not need to be a Rhode Island resident to apply.)
2. Entries must consist of an interpretive work focusing on the George Washington Letter in context with the present time. Written submissions such as essays, stories, or poems should be no less than 500 words and no more than 1000 words.
3. Entries will be judged on both style and content. Judges will look for a presentation of ideas that is clear, articulate, and logically organized.
4. Entries must be the sole work of the entrant. This is a one-time scholarship and is non-renewable.
5. Scholarship awards will be provided directly to the award recipients upon evidence of enrollment.
6. No entrant can be a relative of a Slom Scholarship Committee member.
7. Only complete applications will be considered.
8. The Touro Synagogue Foundation must receive application materials and submitted works no later than April 19, 2024. Return completed applications and submitted work to: Touro Synagogue Foundation Attention: Slom Scholarship 85 Touro Street Newport, RI 02840
9. Demonstration of financial need is not a factor in selecting this award. Applicants are free to apply for other financial aid. Receiving aid from other sources does not influence the award process. Awards will be made without regard to the applicant’s race, color, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, religious belief, gender, marital status, or physical disability.
10. All entries become the property of the Touro Synagogue Foundation and may be used wholly or in part as promotional material, in public relations material, or in any other manner and will not be returned.
11. Questions regarding the scholarship program can be directed online to tours@tourosynagogue.org or to the Touro Synagogue Foundation office at (401) 847-4794 ext. 207.