As part of the ARJE’s commitment to advocating for the field of Jewish education, the Association presents a number of awards to practitioners whose work exemplifies best practices. The Distinguished Educator Award honors educators who exemplify the values of ARJE and make significant contributions to Reform Jewish education, in all its forms.
The ARJE Distinguished Awards Committee is pleased to announce the 2026 Recipients: Marisa Kaiser, RJE, Avram Mandell, and Rachel Mersky Woda, RJE.
Marisa Kaiser, RJE
Marisa developed a bold new learning model called Noar at her congregation. “What stands out is not simply the idea itself, but the way she brought people with her” in envisioning, developing and implementing the model. “She sees Jewish education as an living exosystem, constantly shaped by the needs of learners, families, and the communal zeitgeist.” A past president of the ARJE, her colleagues laud her not only leading the movement, but how she always elevates the field of Jewish education and Jewish communal life.
Marisa serves as the Charles S. Ackerman Senior Director of Learning & Engagement at Temple Sinai in Sandy Springs, GA.
Avram Mandell
The founding executive director of Tzedek America, Avram is a “visionary, creative, charismatic educator. He “demonstrates both the passion for and command of the Jewish textual tradition that any great teacher must display and inspiring their emotional and spiritual growth.” An exceptional mentor, Avram brings a deep sense of purpose to those with whom he works and mentors.
Avram is the Founding Executive Director of Tzedek America.
Rachel Mersky Woda, RJE
Rachel has revamped, revitalized, and reimagined the religious school to make it the “crown jewel” of the congregation under the “watch words of: joyful, communal, and accessible.” Successfully implementing a strategic plan, she is known for her mentorship of students and faculty in making them “Jewishly proud, culturally literate, and communal invested Jews.”
Rachel is the Director of Youth & Family Engagement at Temple Beth-El in Providence, RI.