We bestow these prizes on the following students, faculty, staff and members of our community. We thank them for their service to the ideals of studentship and scholarship, social justice, the building of community and the growth of the Reconstructionist movement.
THE RABBI DEVORA BARTNOFF MEMORIAL PRIZE FOR SPIRITUALLY MOTIVATED SOCIAL ACTION
Through the generosity of the members of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, the Rabbi Devora Bartnoff Memorial Prize for Spiritually Motivated Social Action is awarded annually to a third-, fourth- or fifth-year student whose rabbinic work best demonstrates how ru’akh hakodesh (sacred spirit) inspires tikkun olam (social action).
The 2024 recipient is Koach Baruch Frazier.
THE RABBI KENNETH BERGER AND AVIVA BERGER MEMORIAL PRIZE IN PRACTICAL RABBINICS
Through the generosity of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, the Rabbi Kenneth Berger and Aviva Berger Memorial Prize in Practical
Rabbinics is awarded annually at graduation exercises to a fourth- or fifth-year student who exemplifies those qualities of rabbinic service that enhance the quality of congregational life.
The 2024 recipient is Aliza Schwartz.
THE DAVID FERN MEMORIAL AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE RRC COMMUNITY
The David Fern Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions to the RRC Community is awarded annually at the graduation ceremony to a member of the RRC faculty, administration or staff who has made a positive difference in the life of the RRC community, enabling its scholars and leaders to achieve more effectively their goals of Torah study, creating Jewish community, service to the Jewish people and professional service.
The 2024 recipient is Rabbi Rayna Grossman.
THE LILLIAN FERN MEMORIAL AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING STUDENT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE RRC COMMUNITY
The Lillian Fern Memorial Award for Outstanding Student Contributions to the RRC Community is awarded annually at the graduation ceremony to a matriculated student who has made a positive difference in the life of the RRC community, enabling its scholars and leaders to more effectively achieve their goals of Torah study, creating Jewish community, service to the Jewish people and professional service.
The 2024 recipient is Nora Chernov.
THE YAAKOV GLADSTONE AWARD FOR FINE TEACHING
The Yaakov Gladstone Award for Fine Teaching is presented annually at the graduation ceremony to a member of the faculty, nominated by students and chosen by student ballot, who exemplifies fine teaching. This prize is named in memory of Yaakov Gladstone, z”l, whose life exemplified fine teaching in the fullest sense.
The 2024 recipient is Elsie Stern.
THE EVELYN R. MEHLMAN JEWISH MUSIC AWARD
In memory of Evelyn R. Mehlman, z”l, whose dedication to Judaism and to Jewish music was unparalleled, and who brought light to everyone she befriended, a prize is awarded annually to a full-time RRC student who advances the study or performance of cantorial or seriously intentioned music addressed to Jewish themes.
The 2024 recipient is Koach Baruch Frazier.
THE JOSEPH L. AND ANN W. PINKENSON PRIZE IN RABBINICS
Through the beneficence of the Pinkenson family, the Joseph L. and Ann W. Pinkenson Prize in Rabbinics is awarded at graduation to a student who has excelled in the study of rabbinic literature and civilization.
The 2024 recipient is Noah Rubin-Blose.
THE A. WALTER SOCOLOW WRITING PRIZE
Through the beneficence of the children of A. Walter Socolow, z”l, the annual Socolow Writing Prize is awarded to a student for a paper, essay or monograph. The work must have been written expressly as part of the RRC course of study during the previous 12 months on a theme of interest to the Jewish people, with special attention to American Jewry, Reconstructionism and family life. It must be an articulate work, excellent in its conception, method, content and style.
The 2024 recipient is Chloe Zelkha for “Nothing So Whole.”
THE ALICE STEIN PRIZE IN CONTEMPORARY JEWISH CIVILIZATION
Through the generosity of the Joseph F. Stein Foundation, the Alice Stein Prize is awarded annually at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College’s graduation exercises to a student who creates an innovative project that explores relevant cultural and social issues, including but not limited to issues of gender, race, class and identity. A variety of formats will be considered as long as the project includes a clearly stated application to the reconstruction of contemporary Jewish life.
The 2024 recipient is Maria Pulzetti for “Singing Hallel During War.”
RU’AKH AKHERET AND TIKKUN OLAM AWARDS
Each year the Reconstructionist Student Association honors students for their contributions to tikkun olam at RRC and in the wider community. In addition, the RSA gives the Ru’akh Akheret Award for a student contribution to the spiritual well-being of the RRC community.
The 2024 Tikkun Olam Award recipient (college) is Josie Felt.
The 2024 Tikkun Olam Award recipient (community) is Noah Rubin-Blose.
The 2024 Ru’akh Akheret Award recipient is Nora Chernov.
