Risa Strauss became Director of Education at Beth Shalom Synagogue in August 2015.  A graduate of the University of Michigan, she has been a public school educator, a Jewish educator, and administrator for over 30 years.  A long-time supervisor and programmer at JCC and Jewish camps in the United States and Israel, as well as a veteran camper herself, she relishes “making a difference” in the lives of young children and teens. In 2019 Risa was awarded with the highly coveted Covenant Award from The Covenant Foundation. See below for a few excerpts from the announcement as well as a PDF of the official press release.

The Covenant Foundation Announces Recipients of the 2019 Covenant Award

New York – June 5, 2019 – The Covenant Foundation has announced the names of three Jewish educators who are the 2019 recipients of the Covenant Award.

Dr. Gregory Beiles, Head of School, The Toronto Heschel School and Director, The Lola Stein Institute, Toronto, Canada; Sally Grazi-Shatzkes, Registered Drama Therapist, Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, and Theater Director, Yeshivah of Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York; and Risa Strauss, Education Director, Beth Shalom Synagogue and Founding Director, Camp Gesher, The Katie and Irwin Kahn Jewish Community Center, Columbia, South Carolina, are the recipients of the Award, which is among the highest honors in the field of Jewish education.

“Each of this year’s Award recipients is deeply embedded in the work of their respective institutions, each wears multiple hats, and each learns and teaches alongside colleagues and faculty members for the betterment of their individual school communities,” said Cheryl Finkel, Chair of the Board of Directors of The Covenant Foundation and a 1999 Covenant Award recipient. “It is so heartening to know that across the map of North America, there are Jewish educators modeling this kind of teamwork, partnership, and dedication. We are thrilled to amplify each of their accomplishments and hope they serve as role models to other aspiring Jewish educators.”