Community Corner
Inaugural 'Sue Pinsky Award' to honor outstanding JCC and congregational educators in Highland Park teacher's name
Inaugural 'Sue Pinsky Award' to honor outstanding JCC and congregational educators in Highland Park teacher's name. Pictured: Sue Pinsky
HIGHLAND PARK – The Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago is proud to announce the Sue Pinsky Award for Excellence in Jewish Education, a cash prize to be awarded annually to a Chicago area congregational or JCC teacher of children ages 3-12 – the first of its kind to honor teachers of young children outside of traditional school settings.
The award, which will be administered by JUF’s Community Foundation for Jewish Education, was established by Mark and Lisa Pinsky in honor of Mark’s mother, Sue, a Highland Park resident and a long-time Jewish educator who was instrumental in the founding of the North Suburban JCC.
“My mother devoted her career to Jewish education, with a focus on young children,” said Mark. “She taught countless children how to braid a challah, sing ‘Shabbat Shalom’ or make their first menorah. Generations of children in the Chicago area benefited from her enthusiasm, creativity and profound gift for building joy in Jewish identity. We are hoping to inspire future generations of teachers to passionately pursue a career in Jewish education.”
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In her 50 years of being a Jewish educator, it is estimated that Sue worked with over 5,000 children in Chicago’s Jewish community.
“My hope is that this award will be a way to recognize dynamic Jewish teachers who serve as an inspiration for the next generation,” said Sue. “It’s those small tastes of Judaism in preschool, in camp, and in congregational programs – those little sparks that come out of an innovative teacher saying something to a child – these are the things that can turn into a lifelong love of learning and Judaism.”
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Mark and Lisa have generously established an endowment fund in Sue’s honor to ensure the award in perpetuity.
Nominations from eligible organizations for the inaugural award will begin in March.
For more information, please contact Rabbi Scott Aaron, PhD, Executive Director of JUF’s Community Foundation for Jewish Education, at ScottAaron@cfje.org.
