WEST HARTFORD – Four teens, two teachers and three principals have been recognized for their excellence in Jewish education in the school year 2010-2011 by the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford’s Commission on Jewish Education & Leadership (CJEL).
“The community treasures these special educators who bring passion and dedication to their work of shaping the next Jewish generation,” said Anna Elfenbaum, CJEL associate vice president.
Teens designated as “Uniquely Effective Madrichim” (teen aides) for the work they do in their respective religious schools included: Dayna Clark of Temple Sinai in Newington, Alisa Bunin of Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford, Alexa Herlands of Congregation Kol Haverim in Glastonbury, and Matthew Ungerleider of Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation-Emek Shalom in Simsbury.

Grae Sibelman

Judye Fox

For her work with seventh graders at Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford, Laura Schmelter won the Innovative Program Award in the Congregation School Category for Jews, Movies and the American Dream. Family educator Grae Sibelman and director of education Judye Fox, of The Emanuel Synagogue in West Hartford won the Innovative Family Education Program award for the program Purim Kaleidoscope.
Three $400 grants were awarded for family education programs for the 2011-2012 school year. The grants are given for programs that involve parents as partners in their child’s Jewish education. Winners included: Julia Witkow of Congregation Kol Haverim for Parents Learning Havurah, Marlena DeRosa of Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation-Emek Shalom for A Walk Through the Bible, and Cantor Pamela Siskin and Scott Myers of Congregation Beth Israel for Into Freedom’s Light.
All award winners will be recognized at the annual meeting of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford.