Pictured above are (L-R) Dr. Jeff Blutinger, Co-Director of the Jewish Studies Program, Mrs. Reva Alban, Janet Rapaport, Recipient of the Alban Scholarship, and Dr. Seymour Alban
Dr. and Mrs. Seymour L. and Reva S. Alban
Current Year Scholarship in Jewish Studies Recipient
The Jewish Studies Program within College of Liberal Arts proudly announces Janet Rapaport as the 2009 inaugural recipient of the Dr. and Mrs. Seymour L. and Reva S. Alban Current Year Scholarship in Jewish Studies. Janet Rapaport was recognized with this award on May 11th at the recent Jewish Studies Leadership Board meeting and scholarship reception where she was introduced to both Sy and Reva Alban.
Janet originally entered CSULB as an English major; however, her lifelong interest in Jewish Studies was reignited after taking History of the Holocaust and History of American Judaism. It was at this point in her academic career that she decided to change her major to Jewish Studies. “My desire is to become involved in both my local community, raising awareness of Jewish concerns, and in Israel, where I have several colleagues working in education and humanitarian aid,” said Janet. She believes that there are many opportunities ahead of her where she can use her education and passion for Jewish ideals that will benefit those here and abroad.
Prior to winning the Dr. and Mrs. Seymour L. and Reva S. Alban Current Year Scholarship in Jewish Studies, Janet was compelled to take a leave from her studies for the last two semesters due to financial pressures. Janet is a single parent with four children still at home. Winning the scholarship gave her the boost she needed to push her to register for classes in order to continue her studies at CSULB. Janet is grateful for the generosity of the kind donors who embody the same Jewish ideals she has a passion for.
The Alban scholar was chosen by the Co-Directors of the Jewish Studies Program. To qualify for the scholarship, the recipient had to demonstrate a great financial need in order to graduate, was required to have a minimum GPA of 2.5, must have taken or be enrolled in a Jewish Studies course and been an undergraduate student in his/her junior or senior year.
Sy at 85 is still working as an Orthopedic Surgeon doing consultations. He has practiced medicine in Long Beach for more than 56 years, while Reva Alban is an alumna of the College of Education at CSULB. The Albans are longtime residents of the Long Beach area and have 4 children.
