Through an extensive community nomination process, the CJE received almost 200 nominations, clearly showcasing the talent and dedication of the community’s educators. The room was filled with a diverse group of people from all different Jewish educational institutions in the community and, in fact, educators from 23 different day schools, preschools and congregational schools were represented in the nominations.

Nancy Tilson, member of the CJE Board of Directors and chair of the Educator Recognition Committee, began the program reflecting on how fortunate she is to get to know the amazing gifts of so many of the educators by reviewing nominations, observing in classrooms and discussing the criteria of what constitutes an exceptional teacher. 

After a list of names of all nominees was read aloud, the individual awards were presented. 

The Novice Teacher Award honors an educator with exceptional promise who demonstrates dedication to children and mastery of content knowledge and the classroom environment. This award was presented to Adriane Brooks at E.B. Hirsh Early Childhood Center at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation. 

Rabbi Yakov Frand at Talmudical Academy was the recipient of the High School Educator Award, which honors a teacher who is exceptional at connecting with students, provides high level content that prepares students for higher education and includes inspirational life lessons as part of instructional practice.

Anne Norris at Ohr Chadash Academy was the recipient of the Early Childhood Teaching Excellence Award, which honors an early childhood educator for creative teaching and nurturing of young Jewish children through using an integrated curriculum, creating a well-designed classroom environment and employing developmentally appropriate practice.

The Ahavat Tzion Award honors an educator who is dedicated to instilling a love and knowledge of Israel, encourages Jewish identity through Israel connectedness and is respected as a role model and exemplar of a Jewishly engaged adult. This year’s recipient was Shuli Raffel, Krieger Schechter Day School.

The Congregational School Educator Award honors an educator in a congregational school who demonstrates an exceptional commitment to effectively educating students in part-time Jewish schools. This year’s recipient was Amy Goldberg, who teaches and is an administrator at Beth El’s Berman-Lipavsky Religious school.

The General Studies Award honors an educator who demonstrates exceptional commitment to teaching in a Jewish day school environment, inspires children toward greater academic success and creatively works with the curriculum to maximize learning. This award was presented to Cara Parsons, Krieger Schechter Day School.

Alexandria Banton, Stoler Early Childhood Education Center at Rosenbloom JCC, received the Inspiring Educator Award, which honors an educator who has instilled a sense of community among students, colleagues and families.

The Special Education Award honors an educator who displays sincere dedication to and advocacy for the students, as well as creative and effective methodologies for reaching all learners. This year’s recipient was Malki Lehrfield, JEWELS Inclusive Preschool.

The Rabbi Herbert Birnbaum Award honors an educator for extraordinary dedication to the Jewish people and tremendous contribution to the field of Jewish education. This year’s recipient was Carol Sommer, Talmudical Academy.

Rabbi Sam Wach, teacher at Beth El Berman-Lipavsky Religious School, received the Joseph Braver Award for Excellence in Jewish Education, which honors a Jewish educator who has exhibited outstanding performance and leadership in a Baltimore area Jewish school.

The Samuel Glasner Creative Teaching Award, which honors a teacher who epitomizes creative, quality Jewish teaching, was presented to Matthew Adelberg, Jewish Discovery Lab of Beth Am.

A new award this year was designated to honor a beloved Jewish communal leader, Lawrence Ziffer, whose life lessons, skilled mentoring of colleagues and Torah teachings makes an impact on everyone he meets. The Lawrence M. Ziffer Award for Jewish Educational Leadership is conferred on a principal who distinguishes him or herself through dedication to professional growth, commitment to effective school structure and inspirational leadership on behalf of the Jewish community.  The first recipient of this award was Brad Cohen, Director of Education at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation.

The final category of the evening was the Sam Kahan Distinguished Educator Award. The award was established by Ann Kahan and family in honor of her husband Sam’s role as chair of the annual campaign at The Associated, and this specific program was chosen to highlight Sam’s love of Jewish education. Marcy Snow at Beth Israel’s Joseph and Corinne Schwartz Preschool was this year’s recipient.

Following the tradition of previous beneficiaries, Toby Kaplowitz, last year’s recipient of the Sam Kahan award and teacher at Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School, presented Marcy with a marble apple which passes from one Sam Kahan educator to the next, along with a special notebook which includes some words of wisdom from Elisheva Erlanger, Becca Friedman, Jill Eisen, Bruchie Kosman and Toby herself, all past recipients of the Sam Kahan Distinguished Educator Award. 

The Sam Kahan Distinguished Educator Award is also the Baltimore community’s recipient of the Grinspoon Award for Excellence in Jewish Education. This national award is funded by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation.

Throughout the program, the educators who participated in the CJE’s various professional development cohorts this year were recognized as well.

At the end of the program, all nominees were directed to the back of the room to receive their certificates and gifts of appreciation, and attendees enjoyed a dessert reception in the lobby to share in the celebration with their colleagues and friends.  This important event makes the well-deserving teachers feel appreciated for the tremendous contributions they provide by educating Jewish students in Baltimore.