Teachers : Teacher Awards

Rabbi Howard M. Graber Creative Teacher Award  Nancy Elbaum Makovsky Teacher Award Stuart I. Raskas Day School Teacher Award

CAJE regularly recognizes teachers in Jewish schools who have exemplified commitment, proficiency and dedication to the teaching profession.

The Stuart I. Raskas Outstanding Day School Teacher Award (co-sponsored by CAJE and the Jewish Educators’ Council) is presented annually.

Rabbi Howard M. Graber Creative Teacher Award (co-sponsored by CAJE and the Jewish Educators’ Council) is presented annually.

The Nancy Elbaum Makovsky Teacher Award for Excellence in Jewish Education is presented every two years for the purpose of enhancing education for a teacher who has demonstrated commitment and love of teaching.

CAJE partners with the Jewish Education Service of North America (JESNA) and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and Jewish Life Network to present the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education. The Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award recognizes, honors and supports out-standing Jewish educators in day schools and other formal Jewish educational settings.

Rabbi Howard M. Graber Creative Teacher Award

Do you have an outstanding teacher in your school? Do you have a teacher who is extraordinary? Has there been a teacher that has furthered your child's love of Judaism? Help us help you honor that teacher by nominating him/her for the prestigious Rabbi Howard M. Graber Creative Teacher Award.

Rabbi Howard M Graber Executive Vice President Emeritus

This annual award is given to a teacher or team of teachers for innovative, meaningful, and interesting programs or units successfully implemented in a religious school setting within the past year.

The grant (up to $700) is to be used for a Jewish education program or materials/supplies to enrich the recipient's Jewish and/or professional knowledge.

The grant must be used within two years of award date. 

This award is supported by the St. Louis Central Agency for Jewish Education (CAJE) and the St. Louis Jewish Educators' Council.

Nominations are sought for individuals who meet the following criteria:

• Currently teaching in a St. Louis congregation religious school setting and program/unit implemented during the 2009-2010 school year.
• Congregations may submit more than one program.
• Program/unit includes clear goals, objectives, strategies, and evaluation.
• Progam/unit relfects creativity and innovation.
• Program/unit motivates students to seek further learning.
• Program/unit specifies target learners and apropriate to that age and group.
• Program/Unit has proven itself effective by satisfying at least one of he stated goals of the school or the class for its students.
• Program/unit is adaptable by other teachers.
• Program/unit must be of Judaic content.

2010 Creative Teacher Award Application

Deadline for submissions:  July 1, 2010

For more information, contact Michelle Brooks at (314) 442-3774 or email mbrooks@cajestl.org

Back to top

Stuart I. Raskas Outstanding Day School Teacher Award

Since 1991, the Stuart I. Raskas Award has been given to the day school educator in St. Louis who exemplifies excellence in teaching and conveys a love of learning.

This award is presented every year to a Day School teacher who exemplifies excellence in teaching. The recipient receives a $1,000 grant towards further Jewish educaton.  This grant must be used within two years of award date.

Nominations are sought for individuals who meet the following criteria:

•   Two or more years teaching in a St. Louis Day School
•   Intent on continuing teaching
•   Track record of excellence in teaching
•   Commitment to the Jewish people
•   Commitment to the St. Louis Jewish Community
•   Commitment to espousing Jewish values

Nominations may be made by parents, students, colleagues, educators, rabbis, cantors, and other members of the St. Louis Jewish community.


The recipient of this award will be the St. Louis nominee for the prestigious Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education.

For more information, contact Michelle Brooks at
(314) 442-3774.

Back to top

Nancy Elbaum Makovsky Teacher Award
     for Excellence in Jewish Education

This award is in memory of Nancy Elbaum Makovsky, whose life exemplified love of learning, teaching, Israel and the Jewish people.

This award is presented once every two years to a Jewish Hebrew School teacher who exemplifies excellence in teaching. The $2,000.00 award is to be used for an educational experience in Israel within two years of award date.

Nominations are sought for individuals who meet the following criteria:

•   Five or more years teaching in a Hebrew school
•   Intent on continuing to teach
•   Track record of excellence in teaching
•   Commitment to Israel and the Jewish people
•   Commitment to the St. Louis Jewish Community
•   Commitment to espousing Jewish values

Nominations may be made by parents, students, colleagues, educators, rabbis, cantors, and other members of the St. Louis Jewish community.

For more information, contact Michelle Brooks at (314) 442-3774

Back to top