Community Leadership Awards

Hans Mayer Jewish Communal Professional Award

Nominations for the Hans Mayer Jewish Communal Professional Award may be made by the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston Board members, staff, beneficiary agencies, lay and professional leadership, synagogues, and all other Jewish established organizations which support Jewish life in the greater Houston community.

The winner of the Hans Mayer Jewish Communal Professional Award will be selected by a committee made up of the last five award recipients.

The award recipient will receive:

  • $1,250 stipend for attending an in person or virtual continuing education or professional development program or Israel experience.
  • Honor and acceptance of award at the Federation’s Community Leadership Award Ceremony.
  • Gift/ plaque from the Federation.

Criteria and Eligibility for the Hans Mayer Jewish Communal Professional Award: 

The endowed award is named for Hans Mayer, a former head of the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston. This award is presented to an outstanding Jewish Communal Professional in the greater Houston Jewish community whose career is distinguished by creative thinking and strong interpersonal relationships with lay leadership and professional colleagues. The recipient should:

  • have demonstrated the capacity to bring creative new thinking to his or her responsibilities.
  • have developed positive working relationships with both lay leadership and professional colleagues.
  • serve as a Jewish role model in the community.
  • have worked a minimum of three years in a greater Houston area Jewish institution/organization in a Jewish Communal Professional capacity.

Barbara and Harold Falik Young Leadership Award

Nominations for the Barbara and Harold Falik Young Leadership Award may be made by the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston Board members, staff, beneficiary agencies, lay and professional leadership, synagogues, and all other Jewish established organizations which support Jewish life in the greater Houston community.

The winner of the Barbara and Harold Falik Young Leadership Award will be selected by a committee made up of the last five award recipients.

The award recipient will receive:

  • $1,250 stipend for attending an in person or virtual continuing education or professional development program or Israel experience.
  • Honor and acceptance of award at the Federation’s Community Leadership Award Ceremony.
  • Gift/ plaque from the Federation.

Criteria and Eligibility for the Barbara and Harold Falik Young Leadership Award: 

The endowed Young Leadership award is intended to recognize an outstanding Young Leader in the greater Houston Jewish community who is actively involved in the Jewish community in a leadership capacity. The Barbara and Harold Falik Young Leadership Award recognizes an outstanding young woman in the community. The recipient should:

  • have considerable involvement across the Jewish community. (The individual involvement will be judged on the total scope of the Jewish community, encompassing the Federation, community agencies, institutions, synagogues, and Jewish organizations).
  • demonstrate significant current leadership ability and potential for greater future leadership.
  • have active involvement with Jewish causes, issues, or organizations.
  • be a volunteer or lay leader, not a Jewish Communal Professional.
  • be in her early 40’s or younger.

Ben Susholtz Young Leadership Award

Nominations for the Ben Susholtz Young Leadership Award may be made by the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston Board members, staff, beneficiary agencies, lay and professional leadership, synagogues, and all other Jewish established organizations which support Jewish life in the greater Houston community.

The winner of the Ben Susholtz Young Leadership Award will be selected by a committee made up of the last five award recipients.

The award recipient will receive:

  • $1,250 stipend for attending an in person or virtual continuing education or professional development program or Israel experience.
  • Honor and acceptance of award at the Federation’s Community Leadership Award Ceremony.
  • Gift/ plaque from the Federation.

Criteria and Eligibility for the Ben Susholtz Young Leadership Award: 

The endowed Young Leadership award is intended to recognize an outstanding Young Leader in the greater Houston Jewish community who is actively involved in the Jewish community in a leadership capacity. The Ben Susholtz Young Leadership Award recognizes an outstanding young man in the community. The recipient should:

  • have considerable involvement across the Jewish community. (The individual involvement will be judged on the total scope of the Jewish community, encompassing the Federation, community agencies, institutions, synagogues, and Jewish organizations).
  • demonstrate significant current leadership ability and potential for greater future leadership.
  • have active involvement with Jewish causes, issues, or organizations.
  • be a volunteer or lay leader, not a Jewish Communal Professional.
  • be in his early 40’s or younger.

Irving L. Samuels Outstanding Teacher Awards for Judaic Studies

The Irving L. Samuels Outstanding Teacher Awards for Judaic Studies are presented annually to two outstanding Jewish educators in the Greater Houston area whose current primary role is classroom teaching in Judaic subject matter at any level, including Early Childhood, Day School, and Congregational School. These awards are made possible by proceeds from the Irving L. Samuels Outstanding Teacher Award Fund of the Houston Jewish Community Foundation.

Award Criteria:
·        Dedication to excellence in Jewish education
·        High standard of professionalism
·        Role model
·        Attention to the varied academic and emotional needs of students
·        Commitment to innovative and creative educational experiences

Nominations for the 2024 awards are being accepted through May 5, 2024. Click Here for the nomination form.


Harold Reingold Yavneh Award for Jewish Educators

The Harold Reingold Yavneh Award for Jewish Educators is presented annually to an outstanding Jewish educator in the Greater Houston area whose current primary role is supervisor or administrator of Jewish education at any level, including Early Childhood, Day School, Congregational School, Informal or Adult Education programs.
 
Award Criteria:
·        Primary role as supervisor or administrator of Jewish education at any level, including Early Childhood, Day School, Congregational School, Informal or Adult Education programs
·        Outstanding commitment to Jewish education and leadership in the general Jewish community
·        Achievements rise above and beyond the educational accomplishments and job description at primary work institution
·        Nominee should not be primarily a classroom teacher
 
Nominations for the 2024 award are being accepted through May 5, 2024. Click Here for the nomination form.

Nominations for the Educator Awards are solicited from the community-at-large.