Baltimore, Maryland – Nov. 12, 2012 – Five promising Jewish educators are the 2012 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: Maya Bernstein, Strategic Design Officer at UpStart Bay Area in San Francisco; Rabbi Eliav Bock, Founding Director of Ramah Outdoor Adventure at Ramah in the Rockies in Denver; Rabbi Nicole Greninger, Director of Education at Temple Isaiah in Lafayette, CA; Rabbi Barry Kislowicz, Head of School at Fuchs Mizrachi School in Beachwood, OH; and Sarah Lefton, Founding Executive Director of G-dcast in San Francisco.

The Pomegranate Prize was established last year, 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.

“The Pomegranate Prize nurtures the seeds of emerging talent and publicly recognizes their potential to contribute to a more promising future for Jewish education,” said Eli N. Evans, Chairman of the Board.

The Covenant Foundation is creating a growing network of Pomegranate Prize recipients and providing a laboratory and platform for them as they immerse themselves in foundation-supported professional development and leadership programs, peer-to-peer gatherings, mentorships and other educator initiatives. Each recipient receives a $15,000 fund to fuel educational projects and their development as change agents in their communities and in Jewish education.