New Linkages
Created and sponsored by the Melvin N. and Eunice A. Miller Foundation, New Linkages is a Jewish identity project for Jewish students at Bryn Mawr, Haverford, and Swarthmore Colleges that requires 16 hours of internship placement at a Jewish organization and 3 Sunday study sessions. Participating students, known as Miller Fellows, are carefully selected and matched with mentors in the Greater Philadelphia professional Jewish community. The students develop projects that are responsive to their own professional, educational, or social action interests. Students also gather at a dinner to participate in three informal Jewish study sessions led by noted scholars. The goal of the study sessions is to understand the link between Jewish values and community life and personal choices. Students chosen as New Linkage Miller Fellows will receive a stipend of $200 upon completion of the program.
In these difficult financial times, we are gearing placements toward developing student employability and/or candidacy for graduate school admission. We have placements in education, counseling, law, medicine, writing, museums, Israel policy, computer science, and special interest groups such as children with special needs, senior citizens, and gay and lesbian communities. Placements have been made with the Jewish Federation, Jewish Community Centers, Jewish Community Relations Council, National Museum of Jewish History, Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy, Anti-Defamation League, Jewish Family and Children’s Services, Hebrew Immigration Aid Society, Einstein Health System: Victor Center for Genetic Diseases, Friendship Circle, Perelman School, and many others.
Additionally, New Linkages is part of a network in L.A. and New York which can help students with locating professional and community resources after graduation.
Selection Process:
New Linkages Miller Fellows are chosen based on their written application and a personal interview. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to the 16 hours of service and three study sessions. A follow up evaluation of the experience is required for the Miller Fellow to receive the stipend.
Jewish Students without any previous connection to Jewish life are encouraged to apply.
Comments from past Miller Fellows:
“I signed up with some vague interest in pursuing a career in Medicine. After my internship with the Einstein Health System, Victor Center for Genetic Diseases and helping to organize a testing program for Jewish Genetic Diseases at the Tri Colleges, I have firmed my commitment to pursue a career in Medicine. I also gained from learning the Jewish View on current issues such abortion, surrogate mothers, stem cell research and what has been commonly called Test Tube babies. I learned that Jewish thinking is broader that I have previously thought.. I would highly recommend this program to other students.”
“My placement at a Akiba Hebrew Academy was an eye opener for me. I had a Jewish mother and a Puerto Rican Father and I knew little about Jewish Community Life. At Akiba as I gained skills as a teacher the students and I interacted and broadened my vision. I now have a new comfort level with my teaching skills and being in touch with the ‘half of me’ that felt missing.”
Download the application (PDF)
Contact person: Eunice Miller, unice2000@hotmail.com, (610)896-8697, or mail to 475 Warick Rd. Wynnewood, PA 19096
College support: Mary Louise Allen, mlallen@haverford.edu, (610)896-1183, Director, 8th Dimension
