JERUSALEM (JTA) – A scholarship endowment fund has been established in memory of Max Steinberg, an American lone soldier killed in Gaza during last summer’s Operation Protective Edge. The Max Steinberg Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund was established by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in partnership with the fallen soldier’s parents, Stuart and Evelyn, and his siblings, Paige and Jake.

The Steinberg endowment will provide scholarships to Golani and other combat reservists at the university in perpetuity, with first preference going to lone soldiers. The Steinberg family will be part of the decision process.

Max Steinberg, 24, a Southern California native, was killed in July by Hamas explosives while riding in an armored vehicle in Gaza with six other members of the Golani Brigade during Israel’s Operation Protective Edge. He had enlisted in the army several months after his first visit to Israel on Birthright.