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30

August 16 • 2012

Outstanding teachers earn
well-deserved recognition.

M

alka Littman of West
Bloomfield, a teacher
of Judaic studies and
Hebrew language at Hillel Day
School of Metropolitan Detroit
in Farmington Hills, and Ahuva
Newman of Southfield, a teacher
at Temple Emanu-El in Oak Park
and. Congregation B'nai Moshe in
West Bloomfield, are recipients of
the Emery & Diane Klein Award
for Excellence in Jewish Education
through the Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit's Alliance for
Jewish Education.
Littman has
taught at Hillel for
22 years and teaches
grades 3-6. She
teaches all of the
Judaic studies disci-
plines in her class-
room exclusively
Malka Littman in Hebrew and, in
turn, Hebrew is the
language spoken by the students. She
conveys both the seriousness of pur-
pose and the joy of deep and lasting
Jewish education. Her file is full of
letters from students who eloquently
convey how their time with her not
only taught them a tremendous
amount of Hebrew and Torah, but
was critical in preparing them for life.
Littman also works collaboratively
with Hind's cohort of teachers study-
ing and designing Bible lessons, serv-
ing as a resource for Tanach teachers
in grades 3-8.
Newman works
with a broad
range of students
from elementary
to teens to adults
and is exception-
ally passionate and
dedicated about
teaching Hebrew.
Ahuva
She melds 20-plus
Newman
years of experience
with innovation and willingness to
embrace new ideas and technology.
She consistently and eagerly uses new
technology to improve the classroom
experience. She sets a wonderful
example for others through her con-
stant drive to improve herself profes-
sionally.
The Kleins established this award
in 2006 through an endowment to
Federation to "recognize the dedica-
tion and creativity of those teachers

who demonstrate a love of Jewish
learning and bring their talents and
energy to the classroom:' The Klein
Award provides recipients with a
grant to participate in professional
development.
Also through
the Alliance for
Jewish Education,
Rachel Levine of
West Bloomfield has
been named as a
recipient of the 13th
Annual Grinspoon-
Steinhardt Awards
Rachel Levine
for Excellence in
Jewish Education presented by the
Harold Grinspoon Foundation and
Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life,
in conjunction with JESNA (Jewish
Education Service of North America).
Levine was nominated for the
award by Julie Eisman, director of
the Adat Shalom Early Childhood
Center. The foundation knows that a
strong Jewish education is one of the
key predictors of a child's continued
Jewish commitment as he or she
grows into adulthood. It is because
of teachers like Levine, who instill
values, knowledge and a love for
Judaism, that children will grow up
to be proud members of the Jewish
community.
Levine has been teaching in the
field of Jewish education for eight
years and worked in secular educa-
tion for nine years prior to that. She
holds a bachelor's degree in elementa-
ry education from Eastern Michigan
University in Yspilanti and an M.A.T.
from Oakland University in Auburn
Hills.
"Teaching our children what it
looks like to be a good person, to give
back to your community, practice
tzedakah, telling stories of my grand-
parents, who are Holocaust survivors,
or reaching out to a family in need on
Purim; these are the things that are
most important to me:' Levine said.
The Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award
recognizes, honors and supports out-
standing Jewish educators in North
America. Recipients receive $1,000 in
cash and $1,000 towards professional
development. In addition, current and
past awards recipients will participate
in a Community of Practice (CoP)
consisting of webinars and facilitated
discussion that will enable them to
enhance their educational craft.

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