Sao Paulo Jewish schools raise £3m to fund scholarships

50-hour campaign blitz raised funds for 14 schools with more than 3,000 people donating, as total multiplied by numerous generous sponsors

Schools in Brazil’s largest Jewish community, Sao Paulo, have raised $4 million (£3.1m) in donations in a 50-hour campaign blitz to fund scholarships.

The amount donated, by more than 3,000 people before Rosh Hashanah, was multiplied by four thanks to sponsors. A growing number of students at Sao Paulo’s 14 Jewish schools have their $800 (£622) monthly fee entirely or partially funded by scholarships.

“We have reached an amount that not only will guarantee the continuity of current scholarships, but also increase the number of students to attend a Jewish school,” said Sao Paulo Jewish Federation President Luiz Kignel. “Jewish education makes a difference and the fruits will arrive in the next generation.”

This year’s campaign was online only due to the pandemic.

More in diaspora