The HGF honors teachers in our region giving them the recognition they deserve through the Awards for Excellence in Jewish Education. The awards are announced at the Annual Educators' Banquet hosted by the Resource Center for Jewish Education.
The awards are designed to recognize and reward outstanding Jewish educators in western Massachusetts and southern Vermont, and to underscore the importance of Jewish education. Up to five awards are presented each year.
Each teacher award includes a gift of $1,000 plus funding towards a round-trip airline ticket to Israel through the Israel Travel and Study Fund.
2011 EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS
- Rabbi Menachem Cohen, Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy, Longmeadow, MA
- Katherine Holdsworth, Gan Keshet Preschool, Northampton, MA
- Helene Shapiro, Temple Beth El, Springfield, MA
- Rachel Wesley, Heritage Academy, Longmeadow, MA
2011 VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP AWARD WINNER
- Rebecca Serlin, Gan Keshet Preschool, Northampton, MA
2011 PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP AWARD WINNER
- Richard Renock, Hebrew High School of New England, W. Hartford, CT
2011 TEEN LEADERSHIP AWARD WINNERS
- Maya Berkman, Congregation B'nai Israel, Northampton, MA
- Juliana Gensheimer, Jewish Community of Amherst, MA
2011 GRINSPOON-STEINHARDT WINNER
- Helene Shapiro, Temple Beth El, Springfield, MA
GRINSPOON-STEINHARDT NATIONAL AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE
The Harold Grinspoon Foundation and the Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life in partnership with Jewish Education Service of North America (JESNA) offers a program to honor fifty five winners from communities throughout North America.
These awards are designed to recognize, honor and support outstanding classroom Jewish educators worthy of national recognition. The awards are presented to professionals in communities across North America in conjunction with their central agencies for Jewish education or Jewish Federations.
For more information visit the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Awards website.