Teacher Awards  

All too often, educators – who are so vital to the learning experiences of students – are not recognized for the significant work that they do.  Through the generosity of several community philanthropists, BJE is able to recognize excellence in Jewish education by honoring exemplary educators.   

Since 1990, the Milken Family Foundation has, annually sponsored Jewish Educator Awards, spotlighting outstanding day school educators at BJE-accredited schools.  Each year, four educators receive the prestigious awards, including prizes of $15,000 each, at a luncheon hosted by the Milken Family foundation. 

In 1997, the late Simha and Sara Lainer, long-time supporters of Jewish education, established annual awards recognizing exemplary Jewish educators in early childhood and complementary Jewish education.  Up to three awards, including prizes of $2,500, are presented to distinguished educators in each of these fields at annual professional development conferences, before hundreds of colleagues. 

In 2002, Dr. Marvin & Mehry and Thom & Iris Smotrich established the Smotrich Family Foundation Award of Merit for excellence in teaching In Religious schools (part-time, complementary schools), two awards are presented annually, to early career (2-5 years) educators who have demonstrated excellence in their educational work.  Recipients receive $1,000, and their schools receive $500 in the awardees’ honor.   

In early childhood education, Smotrich (cash) prizes are awarded to educators and their schools for developing outstanding curricular materials that are shared with colleagues at BJE’s annual BJE Bebe Feuerstein Simon Early Childhood Institute.