Giraffe Award Recipients

Each year, the Religious School looks to honor students in our community who engage in tikkun olam, repairing the world. 

Congratulations to our 2020 Giraffe Award recipients!
Learn more about their respective work below. 

Click here to make a donation to the Religious School Scholarship Fund in honor of a student.

Elementary School Category

Harrison & Jacob Koppelman for their work with our Efshar Special Needs Class. The Efshar Program provides a Jewish learning experience for students on the autism spectrum and meets weekly. Prior to the pandemic starting, both boys volunteered weekly to be peer models in the Efshar Class. Both Jacob and Harrison see everyone in this world as individuals and never want anyone to feel ostracized. They believe that everyone's differences are what make them most interesting. 
 

Middle School Category

Addyson Rejwan for her work with Safe & Stylish PPE. Since COVID-19 hit us in March, Addyson has been sewing masks to help keep our community safe (and stylish!). She originally donated masks to anyone who wanted one. She later started asking for donations in return. Addyson later started producing mask chains and personalized hand sanitizers as well and through all of her efforts has raised thousands of dollars for the Mid-Island JCC's Food Pantry, Birthday Wishes of LI and UJA-NY. 

Morgan Stone for her work with Limitless to raise awareness and funds for the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI). Morgan made mask chain necklaces to seell and donated all of the proceeds going to NAMI. This was a meaningful project for Morgan, as her family has a friend who lost his battle with mental illness this year.  
 

High School Category

Anabelle Caslow for her work with Nassau County's Adopt-A-Nurse Program. Through this program, Anabelle spent time getting to know local nurses who have made an impact on our entire community. She spent many hours putting together baskets that were personalized for their needs and desires. Anabelle continues to look to help nurses as a second wave of COVID is coming through the holiday season.

Emily Milgrim for her project Friends of the Frontline. During the worst of the pandemic, Emily mobilized the community to create, collect and deliver cards of appreciation for Frontline healthcare workers and EMS to life their spirits. She connected with schools, the local taxi company, and the Girl Scouts in order to collect cards and had over 500 cards delivered to area hospitals. Friends of the Frontline also worked with other organizations to donate toward food and supplies for frontline workers.