The Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education is a national award designed to recognize teachers in communities across North America who have made a commitment to the field of Jewish Education. The Award honors outstanding classroom-based teachers in formal Jewish educational settings (early childhood through grade 12).  Award winners are chosen through their central agency for Jewish Education or, where no central agency exists, through their Federation. The Awards were first established by the Grinspoon Foundation in 2000 and joined by the Jewish Life Network/Steinhardt Foundation in 2002.   They are administered through the Jewish Educational Service of North America (JESNA).  

Eligible nominees for the Award:
•    demonstrate exceptional achievement in Jewish education
•    have made a significant impact on students and the community
•    have a minimum of 3 years experience in the field
•    teach at least 8 hours per week in Jewish day school or other formal Jewish educational setting (educators can fulfill the hour requirement in more than one institution)
•    be classroom-based Jewish educators in one of the following categories:       

o    day school teacher, grades K-8
o    day school teacher, grades 9-12
o    congregational school teacher, grades K-8
o    congregational school teacher, grades 9-12
o    early childhood educator

Nominations of previous Grinspoon Awards and Grinspoon-Steinhardt Awards recipients will not be considered.
Teachers may ONLY be nominated by their principal or school administrator. Nominations are received by CJE and reviewed by the Awards Subcommittee of the Professional Development Advisory Committee.  Once CJE has selected our community’s nominee(s) final applications are reviewed by a national awards panel which will confirm selection of the final recipients. While this Committee may seek additional information about a candidate before confirming his/her nomination, the judgment of each local selection committee is the most important criterion.

The Awards offer national recognition to its recipients, each of whom is awarded a minimum of $2,500. Each winner must use $1,500 of the Award for his or her own professional development. The remaining $1,000 is for use at the recipient's discretion. In addition, the Award-winning teacher will be invited to a national professional development seminar and reception in his or her honor.  Award winners are also eligible for future professional development opportunities sponsored by JESNA, the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and Jewish Life Network/Steinhardt Foundation.  For more information, see:  http://www.grinspoonsteinhardt.org/about.html

 Former Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award Winners:

2009	Bella Eshed
2008	Bonnie Altman
2007	Ruti Lifshitz
2006	Veronica Maravankin
2005	Sharon Weiss