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NATIONAL AWARD PRESENTED TO CARDIN SCHOOL DEAN OF JUDAIC STUDIES

Rabbi Stuart Seltzer One of Three Honored in the Nation with 2009 Covenant Award

(Baltimore, MD) – Rabbi Stuart Seltzer, Dean of Judaic Studies at the Shoshana S. Cardin School in Baltimore, was honored as one of three recipients of a national Award presented by the Covenant Foundation at the 2009 General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America on Sunday, November 8 in Washington, D.C. for innovation, inspiration and excellence in Jewish education.

The Covenant Foundation is a program of the Crown Family Foundation and the Jewish Education Service of North America. Created in 1991, the Covenant Award recognizes outstanding Jewish educators for their commitment to Jewish education within their schools and communities.  Lee Meyerhoff Hendler, a Trustee of the Meyerhoff Family Charitable Funds, nominated Rabbi Seltzer based on his active role in shaping Jewish education curriculum and programming in Baltimore Jewish Day Schools. In acknowledgement of the award, Rabbi Seltzer was presented a $36,000 prize plus an additional $5,000 to be given to Cardin School.

Rabbi Seltzer has been an active member of the religious and education community in Baltimore for over 20 years.  In addition to his duties at Cardin, he has served on several committees including the Jewish Education Service of North America’s Center for Excellence in Congregational Education, the Meyerhoff Teen Initiative Strategic Planning Committee, the United Synagogue of America’s Committee on Meta Principles for Family Education and more.  He has also held several education positions throughout Baltimore including designing and implementing curriculum as Educational Director at the Rosenbloom Religious School and Netivon Hebrew High School as well as serving as the Director of Informal Jewish Education Programs in the Chizuk Amuno Congregation.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Bible from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America and a Bachelor of Arts in Ancient Studies from Columbia University.  He was ordained as a Rabbi in 1988 and has taken several Judaic seminars and education courses over the years to further expand his understanding and knowledge of Judaism and education.

“The Covenant Award represents one of the most recognized professional honors for Jewish educators and we at Cardin are extremely proud of his accomplishments and humbled to have Rabbi Seltzer as part of our talented faculty,” said Barbie Prince, Head of Cardin School.

The Cardin School is Baltimore’s only pluralistic, independent Jewish High School.  Founded in 2003, the school integrates Judaic studies with a challenging college-preparatory program that combines academic excellence with individual discovery.  All courses – AP, honors, and standard – are grounded in structure and integrity while challenging students to create their own meaning.  The Cardin School is accredited by the State of Maryland and member of the national Association of Independent Schools, the Association of Independent Schools, RAVSAK: The Jewish Community Day School Network, Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education (PEJE), National Staff Development Council, Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations, and the Independent School Management Consortium.

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