Sarah Kosovsky, a standout student from Hampton Roads, has been named the 2025 recipient of the Stein Family College Scholarship, the largest scholarship available to Jewish students in the Tidewater region. Awarded through the Tidewater Jewish Foundation, this prestigious scholarship provides up to $15,000 per year—renewable for four years—for a total value of up to $60,000.

Sarah will attend the University of Virginia this fall, where she plans to study cognitive science on a pre-med track. Her goal: to become a physician who uplifts and empowers others through care grounded in compassion and purpose.

When asked about the moment she learned she had received the scholarship, Sarah shared, “I was excited and relieved. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted, and I was overwhelmed with gratitude for such an incredible opportunity.”

The Stein Family College Scholarship was established in memory of Arlene Shea Stein, a beloved mother and grandmother who deeply valued education but was unable to complete college due to financial hardship. The scholarship reflects her legacy of generosity, community service, and the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam—repairing the world.

For Sarah, this sense of purpose is personal. “My Jewish identity has always given me a strong sense of responsibility to give back,” she explained. “It has shaped my goals and inspired me to pursue a career in medicine.”

Throughout high school, Sarah maintained academic excellence while actively engaging in leadership and service—volunteering in hospitals, leading school clubs like Operation Smile, and finding meaningful ways to support her community. Her passion for learning and giving back made her a natural fit for this honor.

“I’m incredibly excited to attend my dream college, and this scholarship makes it financially possible,” Sarah said. “It allows me to focus fully on my studies and future without the burden of debt.”

To the Stein family and the supporters of the Tidewater Jewish Foundation, she offered a heartfelt thank you: “This scholarship doesn’t just help financially—it affirms that my community believes in me. That means everything.”

As she embarks on her journey at UVA, Sarah carries the legacy of Arlene Stein with her, adding her own chapter to a story rooted in resilience, compassion, and the pursuit of knowledge.