Menachem Begin Scholars

What is Tikvah?

Tikvah is a think tank and educational institution focused on the foundational ideas of Jewish civilization, the great challenges facing the Jewish people and the State of Israel, and the political, moral, and economic traditions of Western civilization and American democracy. Tikvah runs a wide range of initiatives in the United States, Israel, and around the world, including educational programs and fellowships, publications and websites, conferences, and policy research.

Our main interest is challenging exceptional people—from middle school to high school, from gap year to college, from graduate students to full-time professionals—to become Jewish leaders and Jewish citizens. We seek to expose them to the most important ideas—in Jewish thought, Zionist history, political philosophy, economics, and strategy—and to inculcate a sense of responsibility for Jewish, Western, and American civilization. We also offer extensive programming and content for the alumni of our various programs, and we encourage our participants to think about their time with us as the gateway to a larger Tikvah community.

What is the Menachem Begin Scholars Program?

The Menachem Begin Scholars Program is a highly selective two-year fellowship for 9th and 10th grade students from across North America. Scholars will attend advanced seminars with other exceptional students led by first rate educators and faculty members. Students will focus on ‘Hebrew Bible and Jewish Thought’, ‘Western Civilization’, ‘Zionism and Modern Israel’ and ‘The Meaning of America’.

Scholars will be invited to attend Tikvah’s National Student Leadership Conference. Throughout the year there will be thought-provoking events, student-led debates, and regional in-person meet ups.

Who are the faculty of the Menachem Begin Scholars Program?

The Begin Scholars Program is hallmarked by a talented faculty of master teachers and guest speakers. The full list of previous Begin faculty can be found here.

Who can apply to the Menachem Begin Scholars Program?

Any 9th and 10th grader interested in big ideas and serious discussion is invited to submit an application.  Ideally, candidates will apply prior to the summer, nevertheless, later applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. For those interested in applying, please email agarson@tikvah.org.

When does the program begin and when do seminars take place?

The Menachem Begin Scholars Program is a two-year enrichment program. Seminars will begin October 2026. The National Students Leadership Conference will take place on February 2027.

Where will seminars be held? When do classes take place? When does the National Student Leadership Conference take place?

All seminar sessions will be held on Zoom. Our class schedule is designed to be flexible, with each class taking place at different times. The National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) is a two-day conference which occurs in between the semesters usually in late January or early February from a Sunday to a Monday. Exact weekend to be confirmed in the summer.

Are there further educational opportunities for Menachem Begin Scholars once they begin high school?

Yes! The most dedicated and outstanding scholars will be invited to apply for the Solomon Fellowship for 11th and 12th grade students.

Can students from outside the U.S. apply?

Yes. While the majority of our Begin Scholars are based across North America, we’ve proudly welcomed students from Canada, Europe, and Israel. We have many classes across the week at different times to accommodate time zone differences. If you’re a strong fit for the program, we’ll do our best to make participation possible and assist with travel logistics, and financial arrangements.

How much does the program cost?

✔ Advanced seminars + debates + guest speaker events: $795 (Early Bird $745)

✔ National Student Leadership Conference: $495

We want to express our gratitude to Tikvah’s generous donor community, whose support allows us to offer this program at a discounted rate. To facilitate payment, we offer the option to pay in two installments. Should you require financial assistance, please reach out to scholarships@tikvahhighschool.org for more information.

Additional Questions?

If you have any questions or concerns, please email Avi Garson at agarson@tikvah.org.