Fall 2026 Winner of the Jewish Heritage Scholarship

Allen Waldman

Allen, a law student at The George Washington University Law School, is the Fall 2026 recipient of the Jewish Heritage Scholarship. In his essay, Allen discusses how he has found immense inspiration through his grandmother, who rescued 17 relatives during the Holocaust. A first-generation student, Allen hopes to one day pursue a career advocating for those who need it most

Read Their Essay Here:

My decision to pursue a legal career has been profoundly shaped by my paternal grandmother, Esther, who passed away just one year ago at the age of 101. Born in Berettyóújfalu, Hungary, the oldest of four siblings, she survived the Holocaust through courage, ingenuity, and resolve. At the age of twenty, she witnessed her entire family rounded up and sent to Auschwitz. Through a stroke of luck, she obtained false identity papers and escaped, but her parents and siblings, including a two-year-old, perished in the inferno. Despite this unimaginable tragedy, she risked her life to rescue 17 distant relatives, sheltering them in her small apartment. Her perseverance in the face of extraordinary injustice instilled in me a profound sense of responsibility to protect others and use my abilities to create opportunities where they are lacking, ultimately inspiring me to seek a legal career.

Equally formative was the grounding of my grandmother’s resilience in her Jewish faith, which provided a moral compass and unwavering source of strength throughout her life. Her faith emphasized the inherent dignity of each person, the importance of justice, and the value of community support, principles she embodied in every action. These lessons continue to guide me in every step I take, shaping the way I approach challenges, interact with others, and pursue opportunities to advocate for fairness and equity. The commitment to moral responsibility and the courage to act even in the face of danger that she demonstrated through her faith has become a cornerstone of my own identity and aspirations.

That commitment has guided my own initiative as a first-generation college student navigating higher education with limited resources and institutional familiarity. Pursuing higher education was not typical in my family or community, where many low-income families struggled to afford college. Recognizing that investing in my education could open doors for a brighter future, I embraced the challenge, taking every possible step to ensure my success despite the obstacles. Attending college as a first-generation student was challenging, as I navigated a system without family guidance. Yet giving up was never an option. I actively sought mentors, ultimately forming an invaluable mentorship with the college dean. I recognized that while many peers viewed college as a given, I had to treat it as a hard-earned opportunity, and I took pride in making the most of it.

Experiencing these challenges firsthand revealed how many capable individuals are constrained not by a lack of ability but by a lack of access, guidance, and support. I came to understand that even modest interventions, such as advocacy, mentorship, or encouragement, can have an outsized and lasting impact. Motivated by this realization, I took an active role in supporting others throughout my undergraduate and graduate studies. I led a team of 30 tutors and coordinated academic support for more than 150 students, working closely with faculty and peers to identify needs and implement practical solutions. My goal was to ensure that all students, regardless of background or identity, who lacked access to institutional support had meaningful opportunities to succeed. Through this work, I developed strong organizational, leadership, and interpersonal skills, while reinforcing my belief that creating pathways for others is both impactful and necessary.

I now seek to carry this same sense of purpose to my professional aspirations and broader community engagement. My experiences have reinforced the value of resilience, careful judgment, and sustained effort when confronting challenges. Inspired by my grandmother’s extraordinary example and her grounding in Jewish faith, I approach my work with a deep awareness that justice requires both moral clarity and practical action. I hope to honor her legacy through service, advocacy, and leadership in the Jewish community and beyond, using my education and abilities to support others who face barriers to opportunity.

Her life serves as a constant reminder that perseverance, guided by a commitment to justice and ethical principles, can create extraordinary outcomes even in the face of tremendous adversity. Carrying forward her legacy, I strive to ensure that the opportunities I have been afforded are used not only for personal growth but to serve and empower others, making the principles of courage, service, and moral responsibility central to my path as a legal professional and a member of the Jewish community. The Diamant Gerstein Jewish Heritage Scholarship represents an opportunity to both honor my heritage and continue a legacy of resilience, faith, and advocacy that has shaped who I am and how I aspire to serve others.