Peter Chortek Leadership Award (PCLA)

Peter Chortek Leadership Award

Geographic Scope: San Diego County, California

Program Focus: Recognizes Jewish high school students in San Diego who are making a difference in their community through innovative leadership and Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) projects.

History: Established in 2011 by the Chortek Family to honor the late Peter Chortek z"l. Peter was fiercely proud of being Jewish and committed to making a difference, with a focus on Jewish education and continuity.

Award Details:

• Stipend: $5,400 per recipient
• Donor Advised Fund: $540 to establish a Donor Advised Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation
• Additional Benefit: Professional video made about their project
• A total of 28 awards have been presented to date

Eligibility Requirements:

1. Currently be in high school
2. Have organized and led an extraordinary Tikkun Olam project that has benefited their neighborhood, community, environment, or world
3. Demonstrate initiative, passion, and positive spirit, inspiring others to make a difference and creating awareness about their issue, cause, or project
4. Have a long-term vision for growth and sustainability for their work
5. Have been involved with their project for at least one year before submitting an application

Competitive Applicants Should:

• Have dedicated significant time and commitment to creating a new project or program to improve their communities
• Be enhancing an existing project or program through innovation and community building
• Be inspiring large numbers of their peers to get involved in service projects or social justice programs

Committee: Comprised of members of the Chortek family and other community leaders, including third generation family members Sammy and Shana Weisman and Nathan and Emily Chortek.

Application Process

Timeline:

• Applications typically available as early as September
• Deadline: January (specific date varies by year; 2023 deadline was January 2023)

Instructions:

1. Obtain application materials when they become available in September
2. Complete application describing your Tikkun Olam project
3. Submit application by January deadline
4. If selected as a recipient, attend celebratory brunch with family

Application Materials Required:

• Project description and details
• Demonstration of how project meets eligibility criteria
• Evidence of at least one year of involvement with project
• Vision for long-term growth and sustainability

Next Steps:

• Students are encouraged to start thinking about service projects in the summer/fall before application opening
• Applications are reviewed by the Peter Chortek Leadership Award Committee
• Recipients are announced and honored at a celebratory brunch

Resources:

• Videos of all Peter Chortek Leadership Award winners available on the Jewish Community Foundation website