Marla Bennett (z”l) Fellowship
Inspired by Marla Bennett’s love of Jewish learning, Israel, and Jewish life at Cal, friends and family established the Marla Bennett Scholarship Fund in 2009. This fund supports the Marla Bennett Fellowship, awarded annually to a Berkeley student to spend the summer studying at the Pardes Institute. The Fellowship provides students with the opportunity to deepen their Jewish learning and connection to Israel. Upon returning, fellows organize programs to share Marla’s memory and their experiences with the campus community.
Marla Bennett, a San Diego native and U.C. Berkeley graduate (Class of 2000), was in her second year of a master’s program in Judaic Studies in Jerusalem when she was tragically killed in the July 31, 2002 terrorist attack at Hebrew University. Marla was a remarkable person whose warmth and enthusiasm touched everyone she met. She was the first recipient of Berkeley Hillel’s Hineni Award, given to a student who exemplifies the spirit of stepping forward with a heartfelt “Here I am” when something needs to be done.
As part of the fellowship, the Fellows are encouraged to learn about Marla Bennett from faculty and friends in Israel. Upon their return, the fellows plan a day of Jewish learning in Marla’s memory. They are given an opportunity to teach texts they learned at Pardes and share their personal experiences being part of the fellowship.
Previous Fellows:
2010 – Simone Zimmerman
2011 – Ariel Ulansey
2012 – Ben Brint
2013 – Lotem Taylor
2014 – Ariel Brenner
2015 – Nathan Wexler and Izzy Ullmann
2016 – Avir Waxman
2017 – Sarah Goldwasser
2018 – Gilad Barach
2019 – Gaby Ostrove
2022 – Rae Blackbird
2023 – Sarah Tucker
2024 – Luca Robinson
