We recognize educators who work across multiple institutions and offer their own independent programs in San Diego.

These educators make an important difference in engaging San Diego’s Jewish community where an estimated over 93% of our Jewish youth are not enrolled in our Jewish educational day school or after school or Sunday programs.

Check back with us in April/May 2019. Deadline to apply will be early May 2019.
Decisions communicated May 7,2019

The Harold Grinspoon Awards for Excellence in Jewish Education
for Multi-Institutional and Independent Jewish Educators

2016-2017: Craig Parks
$1000 Award

 Craig Parks is celebrated for impacting over 350+ children, educating children at three local Jewish institutions, and offering an experiential Jewish summer day camp, CAMP SIMCHA that reaches a broad spectrum of Jewish children K-6 and develops teen and young adult leadership through a formal counselor training program. Also highlighted by the judges was Craig’s band SHORASHIM, a new cultural path for musicians and singers ages 6th-12th grade.

Startup18 Jewish Educator Awards

2016-2017:  Lillian Elbaz
$500 multi-institution educator & entrepreneur

Lillian Elbaz is celebrated for impacting over 200+ children, sharing her talent with 5+ institutions and  her independently run TNUA programs including a school year culturally rich dance program and a summer camp.

2016-2017: Arielle Gereboff
$250 independent Bar/Bat Mitzvah experiential educator

Arielle Gereboff is celebrated for her work with experiential Bar/Bat Mitzvah programming supporting a significant number of students who are not affiliated with a Synagogue and designing programs with either unique Israel travel and/or family learning as part of the Bnai Mitzvah experience. Her work provides new and creative paths for families to experience this important milestone.