The Distinguished Educator Award honors those who embody the values of ARJE and make significant contributions to Reform Jewish education. This year at our Annual Meeting, we are proud to honor Vicki Weber, RJE and David Behrman, whose educational leadership has not only transformed the landscape of Jewish education, but also whose kindness and generosity of spirit have sustained and supported thousands of Jewish educators in our field.
A Legacy of Learning
The Behrman family’s commitment to Jewish education is multi-generational. Founded by Louis Behrman z”l and later led by Jacob Behrman z”l (an honorary member of NATE since its founding), the family business was rooted in a mission to teach Jewish tradition to children and strengthen Jewish life through education.
David Behrman and Vicki Weber carried that mission forward with wisdom, integrity, and a deep sense of responsibility. Over the course of their careers, they have dedicated themselves not only to publishing significant and relevant Jewish educational materials but also to supporting the educators who bring those materials to life. At the same time, they expanded the mission and reach of Behrman House by launching Apples & Honey Press to develop compelling Jewish literature for children.
David Behrman: Visionary Leadership with Relationships at the Core
David is truly a distinguished educator – modeling a commitment to both continuity and innovation. Through a deep practice of listening, reflecting, experimenting, and creating, David ensured Behrman House didn’t respond only to today’s needs but also anticipated tomorrow’s challenges. He brought new voices such as Rabbi David Wolpe and historian Jonathan Sarna into the Behrman House fold, helped move the discussion of God and theology into the Jewish classroom with age-appropriate materials such as Partner’s with God and Let’s Discover God, and led the development of ground-breaking methods and formats to engage young learners in Hebrew language acquisition, including applying a variety of digital technologies and teaching Hebrew through music, transforming how Jewish educational content could be accessed and experienced.
David isn’t only an innovator; he is a model of exemplary leadership. A true mensch, he kept relationships and people at the center of his approach. Known for asking big questions, exploring bold ideas, and always wanting to make sure they were getting it right, he relished the collaborative nature of his work and genuinely wanted to know what was happening on the ground for Jewish educators. In the ARJE community, whether through the Behrman House awards, legendary conference celebrations, or meals whenever David or his team were in town, it was always about the connections first and foremost.
In recognition of his lifelong contributions, and in continuity with his family’s legacy, David has been named an honorary member of ARJE.
Vicki Weber, RJE: Strategic Vision and Enduring Commitment
Vicki built upon the deep foundation between Behrman House and NATE, not only by fostering her own affinity to ARJE, but also through earning an Executive Master’s in Jewish Education at Hebrew Union College and by joining the ARJE Board. Vicki’s deep personal commitment and service to Reform Jewish education, combined with her strategic insight and keen business sense, inspired and uplifted so many Jewish educators. She shaped ARJE’s strategic planning, guided the plans for hiring the current CEO, and ensured the organization’s financial direction had an eye toward the future. She was uniquely qualified to construct what would be possible for the future of Jewish education, and she used all the resources at her disposal to do so.
At Behrman House, she cemented the organization’s ability to robustly meet the needs of the field and foresee new ways that Behrman House could serve Jewish educators, families, and children. She has also contributed to the field by writing a range of books for both children and adults. She is an educator and author, a community member, and a community leader. She deeply understands how to carry on the legacy of Jewish life and how to create and provide the tools that can help educators, parents, and Jewish learners take hold of their tradition in new and creative ways.
ARJE Distinguished Educators
What truly distinguishes Vicki and David is their generosity of spirit and real care and concern for our ecosystem. They have created a network where people feel they belong, and their compassion and kindness have left a lasting mark on the ARJE community. Together, David Behrman and Vicki Weber have grown more than a publishing legacy – they have built a model of what it means to lead a field with vision, care, and purpose. Their work reminds us that Jewish education is not only about content, but about people – the relationships we build, the stories we hear from them along the way, and the futures we co-create together.