In 2007, the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Awards program instituted a new procedure for requesting Professional Development Stipends. Following are updated processes and procedures for 2011 Awards Winners:

1. A teacher proposes professional development opportunities that meet the guidelines of the Awards Program to their local contact person (in the central agency or federation).

2. The community contact submits requests that meet the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Awards Program guidelines to JESNA.

3. Upon receipt of the Professional Development Stipend request and all applicable receipts, JESNA will forward the stipend funds to the professional development provider (e.g., conference provider, organization sponsoring a class, etc.), or reimburse the community or individual teacher for expended funds.

The new procedures have raised a number of questions regarding guidelines for appropriate use of the stipend. In response to this, JESNA has created this FAQs document in order to clarify the new procedures for teachers and community contacts.

How much is the professional development stipend?
$1,000

Who provides the professional development stipend?
The funders of the stipend are the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and The Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life. JESNA does not provide the stipend; we simply administer and monitor the process.

I am a teacher. How do I request my stipend?
Contact the coordinator of the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Awards Program at your central agency or federation - they have a form that you and the coordinator must fill out together detailing how you wish to use the stipend. The coordinator will then submit the form to JESNA. Subsequently, JESNA will review the form to validate that the request fits into the funder’s guidelines for the award.  You can also access the form by downloading the Professional Development Stipend Reimbursement Form found below.  Please consult with your community coordinator before sending in this form.  If you do not know your community coordinator, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for this information.

Professional Development Reimbursement Form (37 kB)

What are the funders' general guidelines for the stipend?
The funders of the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Awards intend for the stipend to be used to further the Award Winner's professional development. Examples of professional development opportunities that are in line with the funders' guidelines include: academic courses, ulpan classes, national or local conferences for Jewish educators, and organized trips to Israel. Please see below for further details regarding each of these categories.

How many years after winning the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award can I use my stipend?
You may use your stipend for up to two years from the time that you were notified of the award. For example, if you were notified in June, 2010, you have until June, 2012, to use the stipend. Please contact JESNA if you have questions about professional development opportunites available only during the summertime.

Can I use my stipend toward academic courses?
Yes, the stipend can be used towards courses at an accredited Jewish or secular academic institution. You can use the stipend for coursework that is being utilized towards a degree that will further advance your teaching career, or you may use the stipend to take courses as a non-matriculated student at an accredited Jewish or secular academic institution.

Following are some of the past Awards Winners' most popular choices:

COLLEGES:

Loyola: Jewish Education Leadership Program
Nova Southeastern University
Siegal College
Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies
Touro College
Yeshiva University: Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education

OTHER JEWISH EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES:

Pardes
Nishmat Summer Program

Can I use the stipend to hire private tutors to teach me a specific skill?
The stipend cannot be used to pay for private tutors or private lessons.

Can I use the stipend to pay for a course of independent study?
As a general rule, the stipend is meant to be used for study that is under the auspices of an accredited academic institution. However, you may submit a written proposal for independent study which will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Can I use my stipend to go on a trip to Israel?
Yes, as long as it is a trip for the purpose of attending an organized program that is geared specifically toward Jewish educators. Other Israel-based professional development plans will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Can I use my stipend to attend national conferences?
Yes, you may use your stipend to attended conferences designed for Jewish educators. Requests to attend secular educational conferences will be approved on a case-by-case basis. Here are some of the most popular conferences that past Grinspoon-Steinhardt Awards Winners attended:

Yad Vashem Conference

NATE Conference (National Association for the Teaching of English)

BER Conference on Best Strategies to Teach Young Writing

National Association for the Education of Young Children Conference

CLAD Program for Language Acquisition Techniques

Where can I find a more comprehensive list of professional development opportunities?
For a more comprehensive list of professional development opportunities available, please download our Professional Development Guide.  This list will be regularly updated with new opportunities.  Please note, however, that this is NOT a comprehensive list.

 Professional Development Guide - Spring-Summer 2012 (463.4 kB)

You can also visit JESNA's Professional Development Center and Sosland Online Resource Center for more opportunities.

Can I use my stipend to buy materials for my classroom?
In general, the intention of the funders is for the stipend to be used for professional development rather than materials. However, you may use up to $100 for classroom materials. Requests for amounts greater than $100 will be denied.

Can I personally be reimbursed for the $1,000 if I have already used my own money to attend a seminar, academic course, etc.?
Yes, simply indicate on the stipend request form (that you will fill out with your community coordinator) that you are applying for a reimbursement. In order to receive the reimbursement you must submit a receipt from the professional development provider detailing the exact expenses to be reimbursed.

I have a question that is not addressed in the FAQS, who can I contact?
Please feel free to call Dena Stein at JESNA: 212-584-7341 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Enriching LIFE (Lainer Interns for Education) is a one-year fellowship for a select group of alumni of the Lainer Israel Interns program who are beginning careers in Jewish education and have taken their first professional positions. A cohort of ten Lainer alumni who are three to five years post-college will take part in

• intensive educational and networking experiences via two seminars:
  • The Fellowship will commence with a two-day seminar held in New York City on July 25-26, 2011.
    • During the seminar Fellows and Mentors will meet for sessions that will include workshops and sessions with mentors, JESNA staff, and outside presenters.
    • The seminar will allow participants to begin learning about the cutting edge of Jewish educational innovation and laying the ground work for the participants to collectively envision the future of Jewish education.
  • The Fellowship will culminate with a two-day seminar held in New York City in May 2012.
  • During the seminar Fellows and Mentors will participate in sessions that will allow them to contextualize their experiences throughout the year and allow them to understand how to actualize their educational vision.
• mentorship 
  • Each Fellow will be paired with a former Lainer intern who is an established Jewish education leader. The mentorship will connect Fellows with more senior colleagues who will provide guidance and counsel.
• a Community of Practice (CoP)
  • Following the seminar and throughout the year, Fellows will participate in a Community of Practice. The CoP will provide the Fellows with ongoing learning, networking and support through:
    • Three webinars on current issues and best practices in Jewish education featuring guest presentations by Jewish education field leaders. The topics for the webinars will be chosen by the Fellows.
    • Rich social networking via listserv, Facebook, and blog. Social networking opportunities will remain available to support ongoing connection and professional support after the Fellowship.

Eligibility:

Eligibility requirements will include

• Alumna/us of Lainer Israel Program
• Currently employed as a professional Jewish educator
• Between three - five years post college (i.e., alumna/us of Lainer Cohort 13-16)
• Commitment and availability to participate in all aspects of the Fellowship program (including attendance at the NRJE conference, participation in CoPs, mentorship, active online interaction)
• Goal, aspiration, and passion to be a Jewish educator
• Promise as a Jewish educator
• Professional Jewish education preparation and experience

How to apply:

• Applications and reference forms are available by downloading the following three documents:
  
  Enriching LIFE Application 2011 (138.02 kB)
  Enriching LIFE- Reference form (171.5 kB)
  Enriching LIFE - Supervisor's reference form (176 kB)
  
  
• Application forms include submission of recommendation by a reference familiar with their work and potential as a Jewish educator.
• In addition, applicants will be required to submit a brief personal essay about their Jewish education goals and aspirations.
• Applications are due April 15, 2011
• A selection committee including JESNA Board members and professionals will review the applications and choose the Fellows

For more information contact Dena Stein, Project Manager for Enriching LIFE by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or calling 212-584-7341.

This fellowship was made possible (in part) by funds granted by the Covenant Foundation. The statements made and the views expressed, however, are solely the responsibility of the author(s).