Congratulations to BJE's Religious School Educator Award Winners!

The 2019 winners of BJE's Lainer and Smotrich Awards have been named. The awards are made to educators working in after school or supplemental religious school programs in the Los Angeles area. These awards are made possible through an endowment established by the late Simha and Sara Lainer and the generosity of the Smotrich Family Foundation.

The Lainer Award is given annually to up to three veteran teachers - those who have been teaching for at least five years. The winning teachers receive a $2,500 prize.  This year's winners are: Tracie Waco of Wilshire Boulevard Temple Religious School; Marcy Stieglitz of Temple Beth Am; and Julie Blair of Temple Ramat Zion & Valley Outreach Synagogue.

 

The Smotrich Family Foundation Award of Merit is given annually to up to two "up and coming" teachers - those who have completed two to four years of teaching.  The winning teachers receive a $1,000 prize, and the Religious School receives a $500 prize. This year's winners are: Danielle Stein of Temple Ramat Zion; and Marissa Deutsch of Temple Menorah.

 

Each nominee had letters of recommendation submitted by leadership in their respective schools and was observed onsite working with students by a senior educator from outside the school.  A BJE committee selected award recipients based on close review of recommendations and classroom observations.

 

Congratulations to the award-winning teachers, and to the schools that employ these exemplars of Religious School education.

 

For more information about the Lainer or Smotrich Awards, or to learn more about RESHET-LA, BJE's Religious School network, contact David Lewis, Director of Experiential Education and Engagement Services at 323-761-8618.