BJE Names Award-Winners for Excellence in Religious School Teaching

The 2024 winners of BJE’s Lainer and Smotrich Awards have been named. These awards are made annually to educators working in after school, supplemental religious school programs in the Los Angeles area. They are made possible through an endowment established by the late Simha and Sara Lainer and the generosity of the Smotrich Family Foundation.

These awards truly reflect the excellence being offered to Jewish students and families in programs throughout Los Angeles.

Congratulations to our teachers, and to the schools that employ these exemplars of Religious School teaching.

The Lainer Award is given annually to up to three veteran educators – those who have been teaching for at least five years. Each award recipient receives a $2,500 prize. This year’s winners are: Lauren Kramer of Valley Beth Shalom, Racheli Peltier of Ikar, and Paulene Reed of Temple Akiba.  

The Smotrich Award is given annually to an “up and coming” teacher – someone who has completed two to four years of teaching.  The winning teacher receives a $1,000 prize, and the Religious School receives a $500 prize. This year’s winner is: Nina Gertz of Valley Beth Shalom.  

For more information about the Lainer or Smotrich Awards, or to learn more about BJE’s Religious School network, contact David Lewis, Director, BJE Center for Excellence in Part-time Jewish Education at [email protected].