Press Releases
Four Surprised Los Angeles Educators Take Home Prestigious $15,000 Jewish Educator Awards
Milken Family Foundation celebrates exceptional talent at BJE-affiliated Jewish day schools
September 24, 2024
SANTA MONICA, Calif. – The school year is off to an exciting start for four Los Angeles-area Jewish day school educators! These individuals' dedication to providing an enriching education to their students, as well as their outstanding school and community leadership, are part of what earned them each the prestigious Jewish Educator Award. At schoolwide assemblies, these educators were taken by complete surprise as they were honored with their Awards, which are presented annually by the Milken Family Foundation in partnership with Builders of Jewish Education (BJE). In addition, each recipient receives an unrestricted cash prize of $15,000.
"Great educators nurture the foundation for success in every society: human potential," said Milken Family Foundation Executive Vice President Richard Sandler, who has been involved with JEA since the Foundation presented the first Awards in 1990. "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 Yossi Elefant, 2nd Grade Rebbe and Judaica Teacher, Middle School Science Teacher, Yeshiva Ketana of Los Angeles, Valley Village, CA
- Rebecca (Bec) Moray, Lead Kindergarten Teacher, Brawerman Elementary School of Wilshire Boulevard Temple - West Campus, Los Angeles, CA
- Rabbi Ari Schwarzberg, 12th Grade Dean and Judaic Studies Teacher, Shalhevet High School, Los Angeles, CA
- Einav Telem, 4th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher, Valley Beth Shalom Day School, Encino, CA
Recipient bios are available below this release.
"Every day when I come to school, I hope that I'll be able to get my students to love Torah," said Rabbi Yossi Elefant after receiving the first-ever Jewish Educator Award in Yeshiva Ketana of Los Angeles' school history. "They should have a yearning and a wanting to know more. It's a way of life, it's something we love to do and something we want to do more. I hope every day that I'm capable of giving that spark over so they could want to grow and do more."
"I feel like the best recognition as a teacher is when a kid comes in and says, 'I love learning,'" said Jewish Educator Award recipient Rebecca (Bec) Moray, after receiving her Award. "My passions for education are wide and deep. I've always felt like I have a part in the Jewish community. It's a highly inquisitive, loving, intellectual and giving community. It's really every belief that I hold."
"The Jewish Educator Award is undoubtedly a highlight of my career," said Rabbi Ari Schwarzberg, who earns students' respect while upholding high standards of excellence, responsibility and accountability. "Our job as teachers is to show students that your mind can grow, your character can grow, and that your heart can grow. I want to show students that they can write better, think better, be more spiritual, and be better friends."
"Teaching here is so much more than just a job. It's what I'm passionate about, and it's what I enjoy doing more than anything," said Einav Telem, who thanked her students, colleagues and the entire community at VBS – what she calls her "second home." "I want my students to come in and demand the knowledge about Israel, math, reading, writing, and Judaism. That's what I want for them. It makes me better – it makes me work harder."
The Jewish Educator Awards honor exceptional teachers, administrators and other K-12 education professionals in the greater Los Angeles area who continue positively impact BJE-affiliated day schools. The initiative provides opportunities for public recognition and financial rewards honoring professionals' proven commitment to education. A confidential committee of educators, professionals and lay leaders among the Jewish community select Award recipients annually according to the following criteria:
- Exceptional educational talent and promise, as demonstrated by innovative practices in the classroom, school and community.
- Evidence of originality, dedication and capacity for leadership and self-direction.
- Commitment to influencing policies that affect children, their families and schools.
- Strong long-range potential for even greater contribution to children, the profession and society.
- Distinguished achievement in developing innovative educational curricula, programs and/or teaching methods.
- Outstanding ability to empower students' character and self-confidence.
- Skillful ability to develop Jewish children’s understanding of the connections between their religion and activities both inside and outside of the classroom.
- Commitment to continuing Judaic and/or secular study necessary for professional development.
- Personal involvement in responding to the needs of the Jewish and secular communities.
- Criteria for administrators also include outstanding ability to attract, support and motivate committed education professionals.
Community leaders and family members of the 2024 Jewish Educator Award recipients will come together for an Awards luncheon on Tuesday, December 10. The inclusive event brings together leaders across LA's Jewish community, from the most secular to the most Orthodox.
For photos and videos from the events and information about the Jewish Educator Awards, visit www.jewisheducatorawards.org. For interviews, contact Jana Rausch: jrausch@mff.org or (310) 435-9259 cell. The Jewish Educator Awards can be found on social media here: Facebook (MFF.org)| X (Milken)| YouTube (JewishEducatorAwards)| Instagram (MilkenFamilyFdn) | LinkedIn (MilkenFamilyFdn).
2024 Milken Jewish Educator Award Recipient Bios
Rabbi Yossi Elefant, Yeshiva Ketana of Los Angeles
Morning, day, and night, Rabbi Yossi Elefant provides a well-rounded education for young Jewish scholars. At Yeshiva Ketana of Los Angeles, he works as the second grade rebbe and Judaica teacher in the mornings and serves as the middle school science teacher in the afternoons. Rabbi Elefant continues his work with college-aged students in the evenings, providing deeper instruction about their Jewish heritage.
Outside of the classroom, Rabbi Elefant is eager to assist his colleagues as the technology contact at Yeshiva Ketana. A team player at heart, he takes the time to coach fellow teachers, sharing his classroom management strategies and pedagogical methods. Rabbi Elefant's warmth and upbeat energy make for an exciting classroom environment; one that frequently sparks visits and contact from previous students long after leaving his classroom. One current project contributing to his popularity allows students to explore the science of the chocolate-making process. Equipped with real cocoa pods, students walk through each step with Rabbi Elefant – and get to taste test their own products afterward!
Rebecca (Bec) Moray, Brawerman Elementary School of Wilshire Boulevard Temple, West Campus
At Brawerman Elementary School of Wilshire Boulevard Temple West, lead kindergarten teacher Rebecca (Bec) Moray brings learning to life. Her passion for science guides her holistic classroom practices – leading students through engaging, multidisciplinary lessons while prioritizing social emotional learning and weaving in Jewish values.
In a lesson tied to Rosh Hashanah, students reflect on their beliefs about bees, explore the parts of a bee and beehive, act out the honey-making process, taste test different honeys, then sort their learnings into beliefs or facts. Moray teaches Jewish concepts like ethical resource use and rebirth and renewal through the KinderGARDEN, which students tend to all year. The Chanukah story is reflected in class through an oil and water lava lamp activity, while tashlich and Yom Kippur are taught through experimenting with bread’s reaction when dipped in various substances. She puts on puppet shows to act out stories from the Torah and historical events, and teaches addition with lawn darts and balloon tosses. Moray is also a teacher leader for STEAM nights and is a member of the instructional leadership team.
Rabbi Ari Schwarzberg, Shalhevet High School
Seniors at Shalhevet High School are gifted with the space to build their character, resilience and ambition, thanks in large part to 12th grade dean and Judaic studies teacher Rabbi Ari Schwarzberg. Since becoming a teacher at Shalhevet 13 years ago, his honesty and kindness help him build a strong rapport with students, colleagues and parents alike.
Keeping students' academic, emotional, and spiritual growth top of mind, Rabbi Schwarzberg has earned their respect while upholding high standards of excellence, responsibility and accountability. Working to provide an engaging educational experience, he seamlessly instills Judaic values, Torah learning, and critical thinking. Rabbi Schwarzberg supports the betterment of those around him, inspiring the senior class to act as leaders to their fellow classmates and greater tzibbur (community). Modeling the leadership qualities he preaches, Rabbi Schwarzberg's first year heading Shalhevet's participation in Yeshiva University's Gemara Learning Bekiut Program yielded outstanding results: His students took four of the top six highest scores nationwide.
Einav Telem, Valley Beth Shalom Day School
Fourth grade Judaic studies teacher Einav Telem wears many hats at Valley Beth Shalom Day School. She teaches Hebrew, Bible and Judaic classes, supervises the Israeli Shinshin, directs the Generations Day program and parent costume committee, and coordinates the sixth grade Grinberg Passport to Israel trip. Telem's extraordinary patience, communication, and solution-oriented personality shine in her roles at VBS and beyond.
VBS students and parents begin each morning with an eager welcome from Telem in the parking lot, ushering students in to begin an exciting day of learning. A former second grade teacher, Telem's rich experiences in the classroom guide her written fourth grade Torah portion curriculum and instruction differentiation strategies. She enriches students' experiences and inspires them to be active participants in their education through organizing Jewish holiday events, having Hebrew students research a tree for Tu Bishvat, and setting up classroom expectations together. Striving for schoolwide excellence, Telem mentors teachers, seeks out professional development opportunities, and connects the Hebrew faculty via group chat to share best practices and curriculum notes.