Five promising Jewish educators are the 2013 recipients of The Covenant Foundation’s Pomegranate Prize for their exceptionalism as emerging professionals in Jewish educational settings across the country.

Recipients, representing a range of educational venues, activities and approaches, are: Risa Alyson Cooper, Executive Director of Shoresh Jewish Environmental Programs in Toronto; Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann, Founder of Mishkan Chicago; Rabbi Yechiel Hoffman, Director of Youth Learning and Engagement at Temple Beth Am in Los Angeles; Rabbi Todd Markley, Associate Rabbi at Temple Beth Shalom in Needham, MA; and Yonatan Rosner, a Judaic Studies teacher and Director of the T’fillah Kehillah Institute at New Community Jewish High School in West Hills, CA.

The Pomegranate Prize was established in 2011, taking its place next to The Covenant Award, which since 1991 has honored three exemplary Jewish educators each year for their records of innovation and impact across Jewish education settings. The Pomegranate Prize, recognizing passionate, emerging leaders in Jewish education, goes to those in the field for 10 years or less.