31 Educators across North America have been selected to receive awards for Excellence in Jewish Education given by The Harold Grinspoon Foundation.

The diverse group of recipients combine traditional and creative approaches to teaching including; integration of Jewish and secular studies, collaboration among generations, a focus on Jewish values, and individualized programs. The North American Awardees receive various opportunities: including mentorship, attendance at New CAJE in Los Angeles, local financial awards, a stipend of $3,600 for professional development and programmatic enhancement. Regional Awardees received $1,500, opportunities to publish upcoming best practices journal, and participation in a community of practice.

North American Awardees:

Elisheva Erlanger
Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community Day School
Baltimore, Maryland

David Harris-Gershon
Community Day School
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Ellie Goldman
Temple Shalom
Newton, Massachusetts

Jennifer Laytin
Rodeph Sholom School
New York, NY

Rochel Smoller
Chabad Hebrew Academy
San Diego, California

Alison Weikel
The Valley Temple Religious School
Cincinnati, Ohio

Regional Awardees:

Lisa Aamodt
Friedberg JCC Merrick
Merrick, New York

Chana Abaei
Yeshiva Aharon Yaakov/Ohr Eliyahu
Los Angeles, California

Bluma Acocella
Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy
Livingston, New Jersey

Mara Cramer
Gray Academy of Jewish Education
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Donna S. Dawson
Temple Etz Chaim Preschool
Thousand Oaks, California

Ellie Goldberg
Congregation B’nai Shalom
Westborough, Massachusetts

Chanie Grunwald
Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva
Edison, New Jersey

Rabbi Amir Guttman
Torah Academy of Boca Raton
Boca Raton, Florida

Liora Haibi
Yeshiva University High School for Boys
New York, NY

Sara Horowitz
Beth Jacob Parochial School of the East Side
New York, NY

Orna Korn
Temple B’rith Kodesh Religious School
Rochester, New York

Netta Krashin
Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy
Overland Park, Kansas

Lonnie Kritzler
Gary & Lynn Kantor ECEC
Henderson, Nevada

Debora Lesnoy
Howard & Joshua Herman Religious School
Fair Lawn, New Jersey

Rochel Levin
Bais Yaakov Elementary
Oak Park, Michigan

Andi Neuwirth
Frankel Religious School
Mercer Island, Washington

Mindeleah Pollak
Robert M. Beren Academy
Houston, Texas

Rick Preble
Congregation Jewish Community North
Spring, Texas

Risa Roth
B’nai Jeshurun Congregation
Pepperpike, Ohio

Joanie Silverman
David Posnack Jewish Day School
Davie, Florida

Gail Stamler
Friedberg JCC Merrick
Merrick, New York

Ganit Tamam
Solomon Schechter Academy
Montreal, Quebec

Rabbi Shmuel Taub
Rav Teitz Mesivta Academy
Elizabeth, New Jersey

Suzana Tsimerman
Rose Engel ECC of Adat Ari El
Valley Village, California

Sharon Zarrabi
Peninsula Temple Beth El
San Mateo, California