Simha and Sara Lainer Distinguished Educator Award for Religious School Education

Congratulations to the 2025 winners of BJE's Sara and Simha Lainer Jewish Educator Awards for Religious School Educators!

The awards are made to educators working in after school or supplemental religious school programs in the Los Angeles area. The Lainer Award is given annually to up to three veteran teachers - those who have been teaching for at least five years. The winning teachers receive a $2,500 prize made possible through an endowment at BJE established by the Simha & Sara Lainer Family Foundation. 

This year's winners are Rafeket Abergel of Temple Isaiah, Debbie Dreiman of Kehillat Israel and Karen Garelik of Temple Etz Chaim.

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Rakefet Abergel is a passionate and creative educator with over 15 years of experience teaching Jewish studies, Hebrew, Holocaust education, and drama/film to students from preschool through high school. Through her company, Chai Five Hebrew, she also tutors students for their B’nai Mitzvahs and occasionally officiates their ceremonies. Rakefet brings her signature warmth, humor, and heart to every classroom, with teaching experience at institutions across Los Angeles including Temple Isaiah Religious School, Kehillat Israel, Kehillat Ma’arav, and Sinai Temple Religious School. Known for making learning both joyful and meaningful, she weaves storytelling, social-emotional learning, and Jewish values into each lesson. Her inclusive, student-centered approach empowers children to think deeply, express themselves authentically, and form strong connections to community and tradition. A proud recipient of the Lainer Distinguished Educator Award, Rakefet is honored to be recognized for doing what she loves most: nurturing young minds and helping them grow with curiosity, confidence, and—above all—a love for Judaism and Israel.

 

 

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Debbie Dreiman has worked in KI JEC for 13 years as a dedicated Teacher and Hebrew Tutor. Debbie has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the academic, spiritual, and personal growth of her students. She is dedicated to teaching, has a passion for Judaism, and outstanding relationships with students and parents alike. She has a unique talent for making Hebrew and Jewish learning both engaging and meaningful. She recognizes each student's individual needs and tailors her approach to create a supportive and inspiring environment. Whether she is teaching them how to read a prayer or guiding students through the lessons of Jewish tradition, Debbie makes the material come alive and ensures that every child feels valued and capable of succeeding. In addition to teaching in the JEC, we are so grateful to be able to see Debbie every day teaching in our ECC. When she is not working, she loves to be with her family, cooking, and going on vacations.
 

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Karen Garelik grew up in Las Vegas, NV, and came to California every summer to attend, and eventually work at, Camp Alonim.  She received her B.A. in Child Development and teaching credential at Brandeis University.  After college, she taught 6th grade at Stephen S. Wise Day School, and went on to get her M.A. in Educational Psychology at UCLA. While raising her three sons with her husband Matt, she started teaching Religious School and was the Youth Director at Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks. She helped staff BJE’s March of the Living trip three times, and loved being part of that experience.  She currently is the Associate Director at Camp Alonim and teaches 8th Grade Confirmation at Temple Etz Chaim.  Karen loves working at both Camp Alonim and Temple Etz Chaim, and considers both of these communities her home.

 

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