A newly created scholarship offers students with an interest in Holocaust studies between $500 and $5,000 to study in Poland, providing an addition to Brandeis' collection of scholarships to study abroad. Students in the Near Eastern and Judaic Studies Department who want to spend a semester abroad in Poland will now be able to apply for the George and Gertrude Gerzon Endowed Scholarship for Eastern European Holocaust Studies.

The number of grants available will vary from year to year, Assistant Director of Study Abroad Eowyn Greeno said, adding that this year's prize of $3,000 went to its first recipient, NEJS minor Elayna Koevary '08. The scholarship was announced last fall at a reception in George Gerzon's honor at the Faculty Club after he discussed his recent book, said Elana Levi, co-president of the Holocaust Remembrance Committee.

Helen Gerzon Goransson, daughter of George and Gertrude, together with husband Paul Goransson '75, as well as Len Gerzon '80 and his wife Nancy, created the scholarship in honor of her parents, who are both Holocaust survivors. She explained that her family feels passionately about encouraging studies in this field.

"We thought we should do things where our hearts are, and we thought it would give our parents great pleasure to honor them," Goransson said.

Her parents said they have always felt a strong connection to Brandeis.

"Brandeis as an organization is a uniting force where all religions work together for the good of mankind," George Gerzon said.

Koevary, the only current recipient of the Gerzon scholarship, is studying abroad this year in Prague and said she has been using the scholarship money to pay for food, books, school supplies and travel expenses.

"It's been fascinating for me to live in a country which has undergone so many drastic political, economic and social changes over the last century," she said. "And studying European history in the place where it happened has been a very rewarding experience."

NEJS professors said they applaud the initiative because it allows students to immerse themselves in Holocaust studies.

"There is a huge difference between reading about Poland and visiting it," Prof. Jonathan Sarna (NEJS) said.

Prof. Antony Polonsky (NEJS), the chair of Holocaust Studies, said there are many opportunities for students to connect with researchers at institutions of Holocaust studies in Eastern Europe, particularly in Poland.

Levi said she appreciates the scholarship for helping the next generation learn more about the Holocaust.

"We need to understand what happened in order to prevent it from happening again," she said.