The quality of the candidates for the Avi West Jewish Education Award was so impressive that an anonymous donor stepped forward to remember two more exceptional Jewish educational leaders and honor two of Avi's beloved Jewish education colleagues and collaborators – Barry Krasner and Shulamith Reich Elster. This additional gift recognizes two additional outstanding Jewish community educators from the initial group of Avi West nominees. These two individuals have continuously initiated vibrant and innovative Jewish educational experiences in the Greater DC Jewish community.
Sharon Freundel, Managing Director of the Jewish Education Innovation Challenge is being recognized in memory of Dr. Shulamith Reich Elster (z”l), a mentor of mentors and educational leader in, and founder of, many Jewish institutions in our community. Shulamith was considered a dean of Jewish education, serving the Jewish community in multiple capacities for over 57 years. Sharon has been teaching learners of all ages – with an emphasis on children and teens – in our local community for 30 of the 45 years she has served as a Jewish educator. One of her nominators called her “the quintessential Jewish educator of educators,” highlighting her talent for developing creative Jewish learning experiences for students, faculty, and families, emphasizing how everyone found meaning in the Jewish experiences she facilitated.
To read the full press release about the Avi West Jewish Education Award and the two additional educators honored in memory of Jewish educational leaders, click here.