New York—Ms. Liora Haibi, Hebrew language instructor at the Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy (MTA)/Yeshiva University High School for Boys, has been selected as a regional recipient of the Grinspoon Award for Excellence in Jewish Education.
Presented by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF), the award is designed to recognize, honor, and support outstanding classroom Jewish educators worthy of national recognition. Regional winners will receive a stipend and honorarium, opportunities to publish in Engaging Practices in Jewish Education, and financial assistance to attend the New CAJE Conference in Los Angeles, California.
In addition to being named a regional recipient of the award, Haibi is a finalist for one of six North American Awardees of 2014. If selected, Haibi will receive a $3,600 HGF Grant for professional development and/or the design and implementation of student education enrichment programming with mentor support from HGF/Resource Center for Jewish Education over 18 months, three stipends for mentoring peer-to-peer training and webinars, and full funding to attend the New CAJE Conference.
“Ms. Haibi is an outstanding educator from whom students learn a tremendous amount and who is both well respected and well liked as a master teacher,” said Rabbi Michael Taubes, Rosh Yeshiva at MTA. “We are especially proud that she has successfully implemented a number of unique Hebrew language instruction programs in our school, such as the Ulpan class and our innovative ‘Meet the Israeli Author’ elective in which students regularly communicate via Skype with a noted Israeli writer whose works they study with Ms. Haibi. She is an excellent example of the high-quality teachers who make up our faculty.”
“Besides being a great personal honor, the Grinspoon Award is a confirmation of the importance of Hebrew Language instruction for the American Jewish community,” said Haibi. “My lifelong quest in my profession is to find innovative and 21st-century ways to motivate and improve Hebrew language instruction.”
