Fellowship funding for MA programs in counter-terrorism and diplomacy.
Study in Israel at the
Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya.
Gain first-hand exposure to Middle East regional security issues.
Your Future Begins Right Here
The Anna Sobol Levy Foundation provides fellowships to U.S. citizens who are college graduates to pursue a master's degree in English at the prestigious IDC Herzliya's Raphael Recanati International School, located near Tel Aviv. Historically, future U.S. military officers from ROTC programs have been the backbone of the program. We also accept civilian students who are committed to careers in the Foreign Service or in the various intelligence agencies.
The Fellowship covers tuition at the IDC (up to $16,000). Levy Fellows must enroll in one of the IDC's security-related MA programs: (1) counter-terrorism and homeland security, or (2) diplomacy and conflict studies.
Ready To Make A Difference?
Start Your ASL Fellowship Application Right Now.
As part of moving to the IDC, the Fellowship program now uses a rolling admissions process. Potential Fellows are encouraged to apply early.
Latest News
8/11/2017: The ASL Fellows visited the IDF naval base at Haifa.
On Friday Aug 6, The ASL Fellows visited the IDF naval base at Haifa. The tour included a visit to the INS Dolphin, one of Israel's newest and most advanced submarines.
7/24/2017: The ASL Fellows visited Israel's security fence along the West Bank and received a briefing about the security fence from Jonathan Davis, the head of the international school at the IDC.
On Monday July 24, The ASL Fellows visited Israel's security fence along the West Bank and received a briefing about the security fence from Jonathan Davis, the head of the international school at the IDC.
7/23/2017: The ASL Fellows met with a former commander of an Israeli special operations unit.
6/18/2017: The ASL Fellows toured the Gaza border.
On Sunday June 6, The ASL Fellows toured the Gaza border. The first stop was the Black Arrow monument overlooking Gaza City. There the Fellows received a briefing on the 2014 Protective Edge operation. Later the Fellows visited the Iron Division monument for a briefing on Rafah and Khan Yunis. Then the Fellows visited the Kerem Shalom border crossing into the Gaza Strip.
6/12/2017: The ASL Fellows visited the IDF Officer School.
5/17/2017: The ASL Fellows visited the Western Galilee region.
On Wednesday May 5, The ASL Fellows visited the Western Galilee region, where they received a briefing on Israel's experience with Hezbollah. The also visited the milepost 105, where the Second Lebanon War started in July 2006.
5/9/2017: The ASL Fellows visited the northern Galilee and the Golan Heights.
Past Fellows
Erik Wilkerson
Captain Erik Wilkerson is a native of Terre Haute, Indiana. As an undergraduate, he attended the Virginia Military Institute, were he was designated a Distinguished Graduate and awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Studies. While at VMI, then-Cadet Wilkerson served as the Cadet S-2 (Academic) Captain, President of the Classical Music Society, account manager with the Cadet Investment Group and Vice-President of the English Society.
Following Graduation, then-Midshipman Wilkerson attended the Hebrew University of Jerusalem as an Ana Sobol Levy fellow. Knowing that numerous combat deployments lay in his future, Midshipman Wilkerson chose to focus his year as a fellow studying Arabic and Hebrew while also exploring the local Jewish and Islamic culture. During this time Midshipman Wilkerson met his future wife - Mrs. Shoshanah Wilkerson. They recently celebrated their eighth year of marriage and have two young children: Nathaniel and Thea.
Captain Wilkerson's initial duty assignment was as an Artillery Forward Observer with I Company, 3rd Battalion 3rd Marine Regiment during its 2006 deployment to Haditha, Iraq. The language skills he acquired as an ASL Fellow enabled him to facilitate the training of a partnered Iraqi infantry company while also accompanying them on combat patrols. Upon his return, Captain Wilkerson deployed with 1st Battalion 12th Marine Regiment in the summer of 2007 as part of a provisional infantry \ military police task force. Following these two deployments Captain Wilkerson held a variety of billets in Kaneohe Bay, HI before executing orders to Fort Sill, OK. There, Captain Wilkerson served as Officer in Charge of the Enlisted Instruction Branch and as a Battery Commander. Captain Wilkerson deployed to Afghanistan as a senior instructor at the Counterinsurgency Training Center in Kabul. In this role Captain Wilkerson trained a variety groups - from State Department personnel and incoming Battalion staffs, to Afghan intelligence officers and mujahadeen seeking to reintegrate with the Afghan army. Following this deployment Captain Wilkerson executed orders to 10th Marine Regiment aboard Camp Lejeune, NC. There he held a variety of billets: Assistant Operations Officer, Battalion Fire Direction Officer, Afghan National Police Advisor and Assistant Fire Support Coordinator. Captain Wilkerson resigned his commission effective 01 September 2015.
Captain Wilkerson's awards and decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (x2), Combat Action Ribbon, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation (x2), Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Sea Service Deployment Medal (x3), National Defense Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the NATO-ISAF Medal
The Ana Sobol Levy Fellowship benefited Captain Wilkerson in a variety of ways. The language and cultural skills he acquired as an ASL fellow had a tangible effect on his ability to communicate, work and fight alongside men from Iraq, Afghanistan, Morocco, Jordan and a variety of other countries. Captain Wilkerson formed close friendships with several professors, students, and other individuals he interacted with while in Israel. More importantly, Captain Wilkerson has a special relationship with the Jewish people through his wife and two children.
Captain Wilkerson is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Psychology via Stanford and the University of Palo Alto. He plans to become certified as a neuropsychologist and focus much of his professional energy providing mental health care to veterans returning from combat.