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Melissa Cohavi, winner of the 2003 NATE-Behrman House award
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NATE has announced that Melissa Cohavi, Director of Education at Greenwich Reform Synagogue in Greenwich, CT is the winner of the 5763 Behrman House Award—an annual scholarship of $1,000. Criteria for receiving the Behrman House Award include: at least two years experience in Jewish education, being a NATE member in good standing, contribution to the advancement of NATE and/or the field of Reform Jewish Education, and pursuit of a course of study in education or Judaic studies. Melissa lives in Rye, NY with her husband Ilan, and children Talia (6) and Adam (3½). We recently spoke with her:
Melissa, tell us a little about yourself.
Well, I have a new job here at Greenwich Reform Synagogue. I have a master's in social work. I've been teaching for eight years in religious schools. I really love what I do.
What are some of your goals as an educator?
One of my goals is to make family education an important part of our school, not a second thought for parents to come in with their kids. To spark something in them to make them want to learn more. We work closely with our families and do a lot of outreach.
What inspired you to submit an application for the Behrman House Award?
Most of the books I use are from Behrman House. So when I saw the advertisement for the Behrman House award, I thought, that's something I'd really like to apply for. I thought, I can do this!
How did you find out that you were the recipient of the award?
Stan Schickler [Executive Director of NATE] called and said: "You won the scholarship." I was shocked!
How will you use the scholarship?
I will put it toward tuition for a master's in religious education at Hebrew Union College. I hope it will help me in the long run to become a better Jewish educator, and to educate me more, because there's always more to learn.
To learn more about the Behrman House Award or to apply, please contact Rabbi Stanley Schickler in the NATE office at (212) 452-6510.
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