The Newberger Hillel Center will begin the Milgrom Social Justice Fellowship, a rigorous 10-week program for students committed to social justice beginning this summer. The program is open to second-, third-, and fourth-year University of Chicago undergraduates and comes with a $5,000 stipend.

The fellowship is a collaboration between Hillel, the Pozen Family Center for Human Rights, and the Fried Public Policy and Service Program. This program is funded by the Hymen Milgrom Supporting Organization, which was created from a $17-million gift from Hymen Milgrom’s estate.

Milgrom (AB ’35) was an entrepreneur who founded multiple companies. He founded his first company Milex Products, Inc., a women’s medical health care company, two years out of college in 1937, and he founded his last one, Innowattech Ltd., in 2008, when he was 94 years old. Milgrom was also a supporter of multiple organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the Hebrew University Medical School, and his alma mater, UChicago.

The Milgrom fellowship will give students an opportunity to work with Chicago-based nonprofits. These nonprofits include North Lawndale Employment Network, Thresholds, Bronzeville Dream Center and Bright Star Church. Students will be addressing issues in education and workforce readiness in disadvantaged communities. Students interested in careers in social change will also have an opportunity to be exposed to a spectrum of models and career options.

The fellows will also engage in educational seminars to enhance their understanding of social issues. Students are expected to work at least 250 hours throughout the program.

“We look forward to building a cohort of students who learn together and encourage each other in the pursuit of a career social change work. Through this program we honor the memory of Hymen Milgrom and his commitment to access to education and gainful employment for all,” said Anna Levin Rosen, rabbi and executive director of UChicago Hillel.