February 4, 2020 — The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston is currently accepting nominations from the community for two different education awards, as part of the organization’s annual effort to recognize the contributions of outstanding professional educators in Jewish education.
The Federation’s Irving L. Samuels Outstanding Teacher Awards for Judaic Studies honor one Judaic educator from a day school/early childhood program as well as one teacher from a congregational school.
The Harold Reingold Yavneh Award for Jewish Educators honors a supervisor or administrator of Jewish education, at any level, including early childhood, day school, congregational school, informal or adult education programs.
Nominations for each award will be accepted through February 26, 2020, and the honors will be presented several months later:
- The Irving L. Samuels Outstanding Teacher Awards program is scheduled this year on May 4, 2020, 7 pm at the ERJCC.
- The Harold Reingold Yavneh Award will be presented at the Jewish Federation’s Annual Meeting on June 3, 2020.
“They say that it takes a village to raise a child, and similarly, it takes a community to educate a child,” said Federation Managing Director of Jewish Education Lisa Klein. “That is precisely why the Federation supports awards which celebrate the entire spectrum of exceptional educators and passionate educational leaders in our community. From teachers who work on a school’s staff to dedicated volunteers who make their mark in other ways, the Jewish education landscape in Houston is strengthened by a diverse array of outstanding contributors.”
Irving L. Samuels Outstanding Teacher Awards
This is your opportunity to nominate a special Judaic studies teacher who has made an indelible impact on your children and your family.
The Irving L. Samuels Outstanding Teacher Awards for Judaic Studies honor two Jewish educators in the Greater Houston area whose current primary role is classroom teaching in Judaic subject matter. Each honoree receives $1,500 to be used towards attending a Jewish educational program of the recipient’s choice that will enhance his/her professional skills as a teacher of Judaic content. An additional $300 stipend is awarded to each honoree’s school for the discretionary purchase of educational materials.
Funds for these awards are made possible by proceeds from the Houston Jewish Community Foundation’s Irving L. Samuels Outstanding Teacher Award Fund, established by the Samuels Family. Irving L. Samuels was a respected Jewish educator who taught at Congregation Emanu El for 21 years. His high standard of professionalism, vision and dedication to excellence in Jewish education, commitment to Jewish life and values, sense of warmth and sensitivity, and high expectations for his students make him the ideal role model for local teachers to aspire to emulate.
Harold Reingold Yavneh Award for Jewish Educators
This is your chance to nominate a Head of School or other principal at your school! Any administrator who demonstrates an outstanding commitment to Jewish education and leadership in the general Jewish community are eligible. Nominees for the Harold Reingold Yavneh Award for Jewish Educators should be a supervisor or administrator of Jewish education at any level, including early childhood, day school, congregational school, informal or adult education programs. Their achievements should rise above and beyond the job description or unique educational accomplishments.
Harold Reingold, z’l, lovingly touched the lives of the children of Emanu El for more than 30 years. Prior to becoming religious school director in 1956, he served as director for Houston-Galveston BBYO. He was a past chairman of the Bureau of Jewish Education and the first recipient of the Yavneh Award for Jewish Educators. He was a founder and past president of the Houston Interfaith Religious Educator’s Association and the Jewish Educators Council.
Nominations for either award must be submitted electronically to the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston at LKlein@houstonjewish.org by the deadline of February 26. The nomination forms are available at www.houstonjewish.org/educators.