Nominations are being accepted for The Jewish Education Project Young Pioneers Award 2017 through Tuesday, Nov. 15.
Now in its 6th year, the award honors emerging leaders from the New York area who are redefining Jewish education. The Young Pioneers Award celebrates forward thinking and innovative educators younger than 36, who are helping Jewish education meet the evolving needs of children, teens and families in the 21st century.
During the past five years, the award has recognized 25 educators, each of whom has demonstrated a personal and professional commitment to new ideas, along with a proven track record of innovative approaches to inspire students and families. Honorees are renowned for embracing and incorporating new initiatives in schools, synagogues or other educational environments, garnering admiration and support from colleagues and other lay leaders in their communities.
“There are very limited opportunities for Jewish educators to be recognized for our work, particularly synagogue educators,” said Jen Vegh, one of five recipients of the 2016 Young Pioneers Award. “This award means so much to me because it demonstrates value on my work, and helps me to better understand and appreciate the impact I have had on my community.”
Honorees are selected from a pool of nominees, representing a wide range of Jewish educational settings and denominations throughout New York City, Westchester and Long Island. Recipients will be chosen by a selection committee of lay leaders and educators in the field, and advised by The Jewish Education Project staff.
Nominees will be contacted by Wednesday, Nov. 17, and will be asked to complete a separate application, which will be due on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 9 a.m.
To learn more about past Young Pioneers Award recipients, visit www.jewishedproject.org/youngpioneersalumni.
The recipients of the award will be recognized at the annual The Jewish Education Project Celebration in Spring 2017. Award recipients, who will receive a $360 professional development stipend, and their organizations will have special opportunities to connect with other innovative Jewish educators throughout the year, and will receive public recognition at the Young Pioneers Award event and in other marketing materials.
The Jewish Education Project believes in the power and possibility of a great Jewish education and works with educators, clergy, principals and volunteers to create outstanding Jewish experiences for 160,000 children, teens and families in 800 programs in Long Island, Westchester and New York City. The group helps educators develop new ideas, build strong networks and nurture necessary skills, while sparking and spreading innovations that expand the reach and increase the impact of Jewish education.
The Jewish Education Project is a beneficiary agency of UJA-Federation of New York. Learn more at www.jewishedproject.org.
