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November 26, 2009 11:30 am PST

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Education

November 4, 2009

Jewish Educators Honored With Awards

by Emily Kaplan, Contributing Writer

Four Jewish educators were surprised with $15,000 Milken Family Foundation Jewish Educator Awards on Oct. 13. Foundation Executive Vice President Richard Sandler recognized this year’s recipients, Shelley Lawrence, Melanie Berkey, Rabbi Mitchel Malkus and Rabbi Dov Goldman, at surprise assemblies at their respective schools. Also participating in the ceremonies were Gil Graff and Aviva Kadosh of the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Los Angeles, which has co-administered the award since it was established in 1990.

Lawrence has been the lower school director for Sinai Akiba Academy in Westwood since 2001, and was honored for her leadership, including her dedication to training teachers in innovative and student-oriented classroom methods. “I really, truly feel that I have the best job anywhere,” Lawrence said.

Berkey, chair of the English department and a teacher at Shalhevet High School, is a student favorite who was honored for her work in propelling students to excellence. In addition to raising the bar as department chair, she is also involved in softball and volleyball coaching.

Malkus is head of school at Temple Beth Am’s Pressman Academy, and was recognized for his innovative methods of educating youth. Under his tutelage, the preschool introduced Hebrew immersion, and the program now extends through the fifth grade.

Goldman is a fourth- and fifth-grade Jewish studies teacher at Cheder Menachem boys’ school and constantly challenges his students to aim higher. He was honored for creating programs to inspire achievement among his students. One parent said of him, “Rabbi Goldman never removes his jacket. If he did, you would see his wings.”

“With these awards, we acknowledge our debt to the men and women whose intelligence, scholarship, commitment and compassion not only help young people achieve individual success, but also help ensure the continuation of the heritage that gives meaning to that success,” said Lowell Milken, chairman and co-founder of the Milken Family Foundation.

The recipients will be honored at a luncheon Dec. 10.

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