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Schools

Samis Foundation Awards two $10,000 Surprise Master Jewish Educator Awards

Veteran Seattle Jewish day school educators are inaugural recipients of Rabbi Dr. William H. Greenberg Award.

The following information is from a press release issued by the Samis Foundation:

In a surprise announcement made Sunday evening December 4 in front of a large audience of Jewish education supporters, the Samis Foundation of Seattle, WA offered a cash award in the amount of $10,000 each to veteran Seattle Jewish day school educators, Rabbi Morton Moskowitz and his wife, Mrs. Leya Moskowitz. Rabbi Moskowitz has served as Rosh HaYeshiva and taught at the Northwest Yeshiva High School since 1979. Mrs. Moskowitz has taught Judaic studies in the elementary and middle school at the Seattle Hebrew Academy for over 30 years. Rabbi and Mrs. Moskowitz did not know that they would be presented with this cash award.

“Rabbi Moskowitz and Leya Moskowitz are exemplary role models who have dedicated their lives and talents to teaching our children and to positively impacting our institutions,” said Rabbi David Twersky, a Samis Trustee, who presented the surprise award. The Award was made toward the conclusion of the Annual Gala of the Seattle Hebrew Academy where Rabbi and Mrs. Moskowitz were this year’s honorees. “It is the hope of our foundation that by publicly singling out such teaching professionals, we will be able to raise the prestige of the unsung heroes of Jewish continuity and renaissance in our era -- quality Day School educators-- and hopefully inspire young talented and charismatic disciples of such individuals to consider the profession of Day School education for themselves as well."

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The Samis Foundation has been a proponent and advocate of quality, affordable Jewish day school education since the death of its founder, Sam Israel, in 1994. The Foundation is the single largest benefactor of each of the six Jewish day schools in the Greater Seattle Metropolitan area. “The key to educational excellence is great teaching. Rabbi Greenberg was a passionate proponent of Jewish day school educational excellence. This award is a most fitting way to honor his memory,” said Rabbi Rob Toren, Samis Foundation Grants Director.

The Samis Foundation established the Award in memory of Rabbi Dr. William H. Greenberg, a trustee of the Foundation, and Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Ezra Bessaroth, Seattle, WA until his death in 2007. The Award will be presented periodically by the Foundation, in recognition of particularly meritorious Seattle area Jewish educators. Nominations for the award will not be taken.

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Editor's note: Rabbi Greenberg, whose name the award was made in, taught at Northwest Yeshiva High School for many years, as did his son, Aryeh Greenberg. One of the recipients, Rabbi Moskowitz, has taught at NYHS since 1979.

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