Congratulations to the 2026 award winners!
Hebrew Free Loan partnered with Jewish Women’s Alliance of the Bay Area (JWABA) to award five scholarships to Jewish women students who are studying or working in the area of social justice and who intend to pursue social justice after graduation.
Alessandra Breall – Law Student, University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly Hastings)
Alessandra Breall is a law student at UC Law San Francisco (formerly Hastings), balancing her studies alongside volunteering for social justice-centered nonprofits in the Bay Area. She finds purpose and solidarity in being a part of organizations dedicated to helping connect survivors of human trafficking to resources and spreading awareness about the realities of victimhood in an ever-evolving digital age. Alessandra has been a summer law clerk, witnessing firsthand the inner workings of the court system across several fields of legal practice. She hopes to use this experience to learn how to become a better advocate for those affected by human trafficking, as well as promote equity to bridge the gap in understanding of the legal system for those who are seeking justice and spreading their stories. She is working to coordinate a panel as part of the San Francisco Collaborative Against Human Trafficking’s end-of-year symposium to showcase the ways data plays a role in human trafficking prevention across the United States. After graduation, she hopes to dedicate her time to working with nonprofits that provide legal expertise to help women escape dangerous situations and destigmatize survivors’ stories as a means of raising awareness.
Frieda Poskanzer – Masters in Counseling Psychology Student, Santa Clara University
Frieda Poskanzer is currently enrolled at Santa Clara University working towards her master’s degree in counseling psychology. When not studying, she serves as a volunteer crisis counselor for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence through the YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley. She is dedicated to the belief that everyone deserves support, regardless of their background and means. Looking to the future, her goal is to combine her formal education with the passion she has had for her volunteer work to become a mental health therapist, working with all who need help.
Jenna Elanga Cohn – Masters of Social Welfare Student, University of California, Berkeley
Jenna Elanga Cohn has been a dedicated advocate for sex workers and survivors of trafficking, working on the front lines in the streets with some of the most underserved and stigmatized communities in San Francisco’s Mission District, SOMA, and the Tenderloin. Her advocacy has taken shape through direct street outreach, peer counseling, harm reduction education, and HIV/STI prevention, in partnership with the St. James Infirmary, SF Department of Public Health, Sex Workers Outreach Project, the Family Justice Center, and the Richmond Taskforce to End Gender Based Violence. She has supported survivors in their hardest moments without judgment, handing out supplies in the middle of the night and helping individuals navigate systems that too often fail them. Beyond this work, she is committed to uplifting LGBTQIA+ communities, of which she is a proud member, through her role as a clinical intern with the Rainbow Community Center. She is currently an MSW candidate in the School of Social Welfare at UC Berkeley (class of 2027).
Leah Baron – Doctoral Student in Clinical Psychology, University of San Francisco
Leah Baron is a doctoral student at the University of San Francisco PsyD Program in clinical psychology. Her work centers recovery from trauma and violence, and the building of safe, equitable relationships and communities. Before starting her doctoral training, Leah worked in domestic violence services in the Boston Area, supporting survivors through crisis and providing prevention training in the community. Now back in her hometown, Leah is currently studying the neurocognitive impact of domestic violence for her dissertation research. This year, she is also providing psychotherapy and assessment to sex offenders to support rehabilitation, restorative justice, and community safety. She has also worked at Jewish Family and Children’s Services of San Francisco for two years in her role as a Personal Assistant for seniors in the Jewish community.
Natalie Jacobson – Masters of Social Work Student, Hunter College, New York
Natalie Jacobson is a San Francisco native with experience working in both social services and clinical settings. Her work at Larkin Street Youth Services and the UCSF Children’s Communication Center, along with research with Stanford University exploring the impacts of having a baby in the NICU, inspired her to pursue a career in social work. Recently, Natalie moved to New York City to begin her studies at Hunter College’s Silberman School of Social Work. She plans to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and provide services to children and families while promoting accessible, community-based mental health care. She is grateful for the opportunity to continue growing as a social worker and is passionate about supporting youth, families, and helping communities grow and thrive.
Hebrew Free Loan provides interest-free loans to Jewish individuals in Northern California to help them achieve self-sufficiency. Our loans support individuals who are overcoming financial challenges or pursuing lifelong dreams.
Inspired by Jewish values, JWABA strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.
The Tanette Goldberg Scholarship for Social Justice was established in memory of Tanette Goldberg (1926-2013), past president from 1990 to 1993. Tanette was recognized for her work in 2007 when she received the Hannah G. Solomon Award. She was a tireless and committed community volunteer. Tanette worked to solve issues in the public schools where her children attended and in the community. She fervently believed in justice, equality, and effecting positive change, whether in the Jewish community or her neighborhood.
