Samuels Awards
Award Criteria
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
Past Recipients – Irving L. Samuels Outstanding Teacher Awards for Judaic Studies
1992 – Ilana Giveon z”l
1993 – Rina Erlichman
1994 – Irving Rothman z”l
1995 -Alan Rusonik
1996 – Judy Stein
1997 – Rhoda Nichaman
1998 – Marsha Schneider z”l
1999 – Hana Karny
2000 – Devora Urkowitz z”l
2001 – Blanche Abramovitz z”l
2002 – Rabbi Dov Nimchinsky
2003 – Elaine Lupovitch
2004 – Hava Wolf
2005 – Carol Levin
2006 – Judy Maislos
2007 – Vered Gadot, Ellen Heffler
2008 – Rabbi Todd Doctor, Carrie Keith
2009 -Rivka Fishman, Charlotte Roth
2010 – Laurie Levy, Harris Pikus z”l
2011 – Michael Duke, Cantor Diane Dorf
2012 – Elisa Goldstein, Pat Rose
2013 – Debbie Wizig, David Wizig
2014 – Mindeleah Pollak, Richard Preble
2015 – Fiona Schicker, Rabbi Eliezer Kessler
2016 – Todd Weiss, Dolph Simon
2017 – Esther Saghian, Sharon Rosenthal
2018 – Judy Ney, Royee Phillips
2019 – Diane Adler, Fraydee Wender
2020 – Fran C. Brochstein, Eileen Elfezouaty
2021 – Gabrielle Gelman, Sophi Zimmerman
2022 – Stacey Skalsky, Sarah Yonas
2023 – Michelle Hadar, Rachel Silton
2024 – Gila Barnett, Cheryl Sigel
2025 – Rabbi Asher Block, Daniel Smith