ECE-RJ Awards
How to Honor Your Early Childhood Professionals
ECE-RJ gives out awards at our annual conference, where we welcome Early Childhood professionals from all over the world to connect, learn, and grow together. Here is a link to a list of the ECE-RJ Award recipients 2008 - Present
Do you know an exceptional early childhood professional who deserves recognition? ECE-RJ invites you to nominate dedicated educators for our Annual Awards: the Person of Valor Award and the Marc Newman Shomrei Or Award.
These awards honor individuals who demonstrate excellence, commitment, and innovation in Jewish early childhood education, making a lasting impact on children, families, and communities.
Nominations close November 6, 2026. Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate the remarkable professionals who enrich our programs every day.
2026 ECE-RJ Award Nomination Form
Keter Shem Tov (The Crown of a Good Name) Award
Honorary Lifetime Membership is awarded to individuals whose dedication and passion have allowed the organization to move forward in the Reform movement. These individuals have used their leadership to springboard ECE-RJ in new directions. Their impact on early childhood Jewish education is long-lasting and valued.
Person of Valor Award
The Person of Valor Award is designed to recognize a person who has demonstrated innovation, creativity and/or professionalism in a way that has positively impacted the young children and families that they serve and/or the field of Early Childhood Jewish Education as a whole. Their inspiration and dedication strengthen the growth of our Jewish educational communities. ECE-RJ membership is required to be eligible for this award.
The Marc Newman Shomrei Or Award
The Marc Newman Shomrei Or award recognizes a person who has demonstrated exceptional volunteer efforts on behalf of Early Childhood Jewish Education. This person is a leader who has had a measurable impact on your young family programming or on the field of Early Childhood Jewish Education as a whole. You may choose to nominate a layperson from your community who has dedicated themselves to Early Childhood Education or a professional who has expanded far beyond their own role to advocate for young children and their families. ECE-RJ membership is not required to be eligible for this award.
THE RABBI AARON PANKEN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS
The scholarship is for educators who are pursuing an advanced degree or certification in Jewish Early Childhood Education or Jewish Leadership.
