Rabbi Ari Schwarzberg, of Shalhevet High School in the Fairfax District, was surprised with an award on Sept. 23. (photo courtesy of the Milken Family Foundation)

Educators at four Los Angeles Jewish day schools were surprised on Sept. 23 with 2024 Jewish Educator Awards, which include an unrestricted $15,000 cash prize.

The awards are presented annually to instructors and educators at Jewish day schools who show dedication to providing an enriching education to students, as well as outstanding school and community leadership. At schoolwide assemblies, the educators are surprised with the awards from the Milken Family Foundation, presented in partnership with Builders of Jewish Education.

“Great educators nurture the foundation for success in every society: human potential,” Milken Family Foundation executive vice president Richard Sandler said. “The Jewish Educator Awards publicly recognize the outstanding contributions of Jewish day school educators – those who teach our children how Jewish values and their rich Jewish tradition makes their lives more meaningful, and how Torah values continue to make the world a better place. It is through these actions that students themselves become leaders in our community and carry on the tradition as we move from generation to generation.”

The 2024 Jewish Educator Award recipients are Rabbi Ari Schwarzberg, 12th grade dean and Judaic studies teacher at Shalhevet High School in the Fairfax District; Rabbi Yossi Elefant, 2nd grade rebbe, Judaica teacher and middle school science teacher at Yeshiva Ketana of Los Angeles, located in Valley Village; Rebecca (Bec) Moray, lead kindergarten teacher at Brawerman Elementary School of Wilshire Boulevard Temple-West Campus, in West L.A.; and Einav Telem, 4th grade Judaic studies teacher at Valley Beth Shalom Day School in Encino.

For information, visit jewisheducatorawards.org.