Teacher Appreciaton
Educators are special! JES is dedicated to raising the profile of teachers through programs such as Educator Recognition Awards and Teacher Feature, and we express our appreciation through incentives such as Todah Teachers discounts and special programming.
Todah Teachers
A year-round campaign to express appreciation for all the dedicated educators and staff of Baltimore’s Jewish schools. Special programs include Chol Hamoed Family Fun Day at the JCC and raffle weeks with exciting prizes.
Teacher Feature
Giving back to Professionals
School and Educator Grants
We are proud to partner with the Crane Family Foundation to administer the Professional Development and Full Time Teacher Benefit Grants where schools and educators may be eligible to receive a stipend.
Browser Our Educator Resources
Educator Recognition Awards
Baltimore is blessed with a multitude of excellent teachers in all our local schools. Annually, we host a community-wide nomination process, where educators can be nominated by their peers and community members for various awards. In May, we host an awards ceremony where we celebrate all educators and recognize select remarkable educators.
Award Description and Recipients
Early Childhood Teaching Excellence Award
Honors an early childhood teacher for creative teaching and nurturing of young Jewish children with an integrated curriculum and environment, employing developmentally appropriate methods.
Past Awardees:
- 2025: Gladys Ricklis, Ohr Chadash Academy and Maia Bar-Am, JCC Early Learning Center
- 2024: Basya Kadish, Bais Yaakov and Baily Wolowik, Cheder Chabad
Student Support Award
Honors an educator who displays sincere dedication to and advocacy for their students as well as creative and effective methodologies for reaching all learners.
Past Awardees:
- 2025: Uri Rabinowitz, Binyan Yisroel
- 2024: Chani Rayman, JEWELS
Congregational School Educator Award
Honors an educator who demonstrates an exceptional commitment to students and families in a congregational school.
Past Awardees:
- 2025: Erez Haluf, Beth El Religious School
- 2024: Toria Burrow, Bolton Street Synagogue
Excellence in 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.
Past Awardees:
- 2025: Rachel Shar, Ohr Chadash Academy
- 2024: Sima Eastman, Talmudical Academy
Ahavat Tzion Award
Honors an educator who inspires students and colleagues with knowledge, love, and appreciation for Israel.
Past Awardees:
- 2025: Lowell Brazin, Krieger Schechter Day School
- 2024: Rochel Vim, Bais Yaakov Middle School
Inspiring Educator Award
Recognizes an educator who inspires colleagues, students and families with a love of learning.
Past Awardees:
- 2025: Eeta Travis, Talmudical Academy
- 2024: Erica Allen, Krieger Schechter Day School and Rosenbloom Religious School at Chizuk Amuno
Innovative Educator
Honors an educator who finds new and creative ways to reach many different types of learners.
Past Awardees:
- 2025: Adrienne Reicher, Goldsmith Early Childhood Center
Educational Leadership Award
Honors a leader for dedication to professional growth, commitment to effective school structure and inspirational leadership on behalf of the Jewish community.
Past Awardees:
- 2025: Gitti Horowitz, Bais Yaakov Middle School
- 2024: Michelle Gold, Goldsmith Early Childhood Education Center
Sam Kahan Distinguished Educator for Excellence in Jewish Education
Established by the family of Sam Kahan in order to honor Sam for his many years of community leadership, this award perpetuates Sam’s legacy of personal commitment to Jewish education and to strengthening Baltimore’s Jewish educational institutions. The recipient is a master Jewish educator who serves as an inspiration to both students and peers. *This award ceased in 2025.
Past Awardees of the Sam Kahan Distinguished Educator for Excellence in Jewish Education:
- 2025: Ahuva Schachter, JEWELS
- 2024: Rabbi Gershon Riselsheimer, Ohr Chadash Academy
- 2023: Brachie Frankel, Beth Tfiloh
