October 11, 2018
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (October 11, 2018) – Four exemplary Los Angeles Jewish day school educators got the surprise of a lifetime this week when the Milken Family Foundation honored them with the prestigious Jewish Educator Award (JEA)—and a $15,000 unrestricted financial prize. The Foundation presented the Awards to this year's unsuspecting recipients in front of their cheering students and colleagues. The 2018 JEA recipients are:
Recipients responded with emotion as Milken Family Foundation Executive Vice President Richard Sandler and BJE: Builders of Jewish Education Executive Director Dr. Gil Graff celebrated their dedication and accomplishments during four unique whole-school assemblies.
"Jewish day schools play a vital part in nurturing and supporting the next generation of leaders for our community," said Sandler, who has been involved with JEA since the Milken Family Foundation presented the first Awards in 1990. “The outstanding educators we recognize this year with Jewish Educator Awards ensure that our youth achieve their academic potential, embrace their Jewish heritage and live a life devoted to tikkun olam, making our world a better place.”
About the 2018 JEA Recipients
These four educators will be celebrated, together with their families and community leaders, during an awards luncheon at the Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel on December 13, 2018. The inclusive event brings together leaders across LA's Jewish community, from the most secular to the most Orthodox.
The Jewish Educator Awards initiative was established by the Milken Family Foundation, in cooperation with BJE: Builders of Jewish Education, to provide public recognition and unrestricted $15,000 cash awards to teachers, administrators and other education professionals in the Greater Los Angeles area who have made significant contributions to excellence in BJE-affiliated day schools.
Award recipients are selected by a committee of educators, professional and lay leaders from the Jewish community, according to the following criteria:
CONTACT: Erika Kerekes, 310-570-4771 (o), 310-490-5188 (m), ekerekes@mff.org