Jewish LearningWorks is proud to announce the recipients of two new awards for 2020. Devra Aarons, Executive Director of Contra Costa Midrasha, is receiving the Award for Excellence in Jewish Youth Education and Engagement. Rick Concoff, Director of Chaverim at the JCC of Sonoma County, is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in Jewish Youth Education and Engagement for over 40 years of his work with teens.
Through this award, we intend to elevate the work of youth professionals and to publicly recognize the important achievements of those educators who positively impact the lives of Jewish teens. We received 23 nominations from rabbis, educators, and parents throughout the Bay Area. Our Awards Selection Committee consisted of alumni from Jewish LearningWorks’ Tikea and Shofar fellowships- Darren Schwartz, Rachel Roseman, and Phil Hankin. Together, they carefully reviewed nominations, personal statements, and teen letters of recommendation. The Selection Committee was overwhelmed by the talent, dedication, and creativity that all of our nominees exhibit and look forward to celebrating these individuals at a communal gathering this fall.
The 2020 Award for Excellence in Jewish Youth Education and Engagement and the Lifetime Achievement Award are both made possible through the generosity of the San Francisco Federation, the Jim Joseph Foundation, and local funders.
