Ten outstanding Chicago-area students have been chosen to receive 2016 Israel Experience Merit Scholarships from the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago.

Each recipient will receive $1,000 toward his or her upcoming approved Israel Experience program in the Jewish State.

The awards – which go to high school, college and graduate students to age 23 who demonstrate significant leadership skills – encourage the development of Jewish identity, nourish greater commitment to Israel and the Chicago Jewish community, and recognize future leaders.

Eight of the students will receive Jewish Federation Naftali Steinfeld Israel Experience Merit Scholarships, and two others will get the Women’s Board Presidential Israel Experience Merit Scholarship.

The Naftali Steinfeld Merit Scholarship recipients are:

• Adina Arnet, West Ridge/West Rogers Park, Ida Crown Jewish Academy
• Devin Davidson, Highland Park, Highland Park High School
• Jacob Hershenhouse, Glenview, Glenbrook South High School
• Avi Limer, Vernon Hills, Vernon Hills High School
• Tuvya Miller, Skokie, Niles North High School
• Margalit Pogonitz, Skokie, Ida Crown Jewish Academy
• Molly Singer, Skokie, Ida Crown Jewish Academy
• Allison Wexler, Deerfield, Deerfield High School

The Women’s Board Presidential Merit Scholarship recipients are:

• Lauren Carrier, Naperville, Naperville Central High School
• Hannah Chonkan-Urow, Highland Park, Highland Park High School

The winners were selected from more than 40 outstanding, dedicated teens and young adults for their involvement in multiple activities (Jewish and secular), their leadership roles, and their ability to be role models for their peers.

“Our Merit Scholarship honorees are exceptional,” said Lisa Rosenkranz, chair of the Scholarship Committee. “They all showed tremendous leadership capabilities and a strong commitment to Judaism and to Israel. With these young adults as an example, the future leadership of our community will be strong.”

For more information about the JUF Israel Experience Merit Scholarship Program, visit www.juf.org/israel_experience/merit_scholarship.aspx .