Ten outstanding Chicago-area students have been chosen to receive 2020 Israel Experience Merit Scholarships from the Jewish United Fund of Chicago.

The awards – which go to high school, college, and graduate students to age 23 who demonstrate significant leadership skills – are designed to 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 receive the Women’s Board Presidential Israel Experience Merit Scholarship.

The Naftali Steinfeld Merit Scholarship recipients are:

* Ori Bauman, Skokie, Wolcott School

* Devorah Bider, West Ridge/West Rogers Park, Bais Yaakov High School of Chicago

* Meira Tova Cohen, West Ridge/West Rogers Park, Bais Yaakov High School of Chicago

* Phillip Gertz, West Ridge/West Rogers Park, Fasman Yeshiva High School

* Joseph Greenberg, Skokie, Ida Crown Jewish Academy

* Ella Liberman, West Ridge/West Rogers Park, Bais Yaakov High School of Chicago

* Max Miller, Skokie, Ida Crown Jewish Academy

* Avi Shapira, Evanston, Evanston Township High School

The Women’s Board Presidential Merit Scholarship recipients are:

* Natalie Cabell, Lakeview, Bradley University

* Gillian Rosenberg, Evanston, Evanston Township High School

The recipients were selected from several 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.

Each will receive $1,000 toward his or her upcoming approved Israel Experience program.

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