The Milwaukee Jewish Federation has announced its 2026 Salute to Jewish Educators award recipients, including awards for Elsie Crawford, Sara Perlman and Devorah Shmotkin.
Elsie Crawford, Founder and Executive Director of Tikkun B’Yachad/Repairing Together, received the Jerry Benjamin Inspiration Award for Informal Jewish Education. Crawford leads a cross‑community program that builds long‑term relationships among students in Milwaukee’s segregated neighborhoods, using art, dialogue and shared cultural experiences to teach Jewish identity, empathy and tikkun olam. Her work emphasizes joy, connection and helping students confidently teach about Judaism.
Sara Perlman, a fifth‑grade teacher at Yeshiva Elementary School, was named the CJL Levy Family Jewish Educator of the Year. With 19 years in Milwaukee Jewish education, she is known for innovative curriculum design, creative classroom practices and hands‑on learning that deepens student engagement with Jewish texts. Her Makkos Fair and Question‑of‑the‑Day work are among the methods that help students connect ancient lessons to modern life.
Devorah Shmotkin of Lubavitch of Wisconsin received the Lifetime Impact Award, honoring her commitment to Jewish education and leadership across the community. Over decades in Milwaukee, she has shaped Jewish education through classroom teaching, early-childhood leadership and broader community initiatives tied to Lubavitch of Wisconsin’s statewide network.
In addition to the three major honorees, dozens of educators were recognized across multiple schools and programs.
The GIFT Award (Gill Incentive for Teachers) recipients were Roger Carp (Congregation Shalom), Mara Kleiman (Milwaukee Jewish Day School), and Karin Damico (Milwaukee Jewish Day School)
The Chai Award was presented to Leah Munitz (Mequon Jewish Preschool), Madaline Wienke (Congregation Shalom), Karin Damico (Milwaukee Jewish Day School), Linsey Kimmel (Milwaukee Jewish Day School), and Stephanie Rubnitz (Milwaukee Jewish Day School).
The Teacher Impact and School Support Awards honored educators at numerous institutions:
- Bader Hillel Academy: Ellie Retzke (Teacher Impact), Selena Cordes (School Support).
- Bader Hillel High: Dr. Susan Bornstein‑Forst (Teacher Impact), Ilana Bassman (School Support).
- Congregation Beth Israel Ner Tamid: Nadine Siegman (Teacher Impact).
- Congregation Emanu‑El B’ne Jeshurun: Sarah Yonas (Teacher Impact), Kelley Wichman (School Support).
- Congregation Emanu‑El of Waukesha: Shirley Forer (School Support).
- Congregation Shalom: Jack Redfern (Teacher Impact), Missy Meier (School Support).
- Congregation Sinai Youth Education Program: Shlomit Germanski (Teacher Impact), Sarah Siegel (School Support).
- Gan Ami ECC (JCC): Jennifer Halaska (Teacher Impact), Melissa Spanjar (School Support).
- Gan Ami Mequon: Isabella Roberts (Teacher Impact), Brett Engel (School Support).
- Jewish Beginnings Lubavitch Preschool: Erica Fishbach (Teacher Impact), Abby Bar‑Lev Wiley (School Support).
- Mequon Jewish Preschool: Bria Studelska (Teacher Impact), Dr. Marc Eiseman (School Support).
- Milwaukee Community Hebrew School: Susan Linton (Teacher Impact), Kayla Schapiro (School Support).
- Milwaukee Jewish Day School: Jody Lansing (Teacher Impact), Lisa Kulakow (School Support).
- Pelz Hebrew School: Chana Rapoport (Teacher Impact), Chana Sasonkin (School Support).
- Torah Academy of Milwaukee: Rabbi Yosef Schlussel (Teacher Impact), Dr. Mary Duarte (School Support).
- Torah Tots Preschool: India Pretorius (Teacher Impact), Dr. Diane McGeen (School Support).
- Yeshiva Elementary School: Sara Rennicke (Teacher Impact), Aaron Heffernan (School Support).
The 2026 honorees reflect a wide spectrum of Jewish educational leadership in Milwaukee, from early childhood to teen learning, in both formal and informal settings.
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How to go
2026 Salute to Jewish Educators
An annual celebration honoring local teachers
Sunday, March 15
2–2:45 p.m. – Teacher-Only Reception – with mimosas and raffles (for Jewish educators only)
3–5 p.m. – Salute to Jewish Educators Ceremony – kosher appetizers
Harry and Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, Daniel M. Soref Community Hall, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd.
RSVP: Milwaukeejewish.org/Salute or email Nicole Boico at nicoleb@milwaukeejewish.org
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