Learn more about the recipients of the 2021 Robert M. Sherman Young Pioneers Award who demonstrate a commitment to new ideas and the use of innovative approaches to inspire children and families in their community.

K.M. (DiCo) DiColandrea, Congregation Beth Elohim

"I am very humbled to receive this award. I feel grateful that The Jewish Education Project recognizes that Jewish students engaging with the social justice rallying cries of their time is part and parcel of their Jewish learning - or to borrow Rav Kahana’s words, 'This too is Torah.' "

After graduating with a B.A. in Philosophy from Yale University, DiCo spent 12 years teaching Latin and Speech & Debate in New York City public schools. While teaching, he earned his Master’s in Special Education and won the Teach for America Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching. He was named a Master Teacher by Achievement First for his work with the Speech & Debate Team he founded, which has won several national championships and has been featured in Time Magazine and MSNBC.  He converted to Judaism in 2014 and, in 2019, joined Congregation Beth Elohim as the 7th Grade Lead Educator for Yachad, CBE’s K-12 Jewish and Hebrew education program. He became took on the role of Assistant Director of Yachad in the fall of 2020. In his spare time, he runs the Brooklyn Debate League, which he established three years ago to make debate more accessible to students from low-income communities. He’s proud to be a queer, trans, Irish-Italian, native New Yorker. 

Reflections from Colleagues: 

“Congregation Beth Elohim’s Yachad program for K – 12th graders and their parents succeeds in its dedication to inclusivity rooted in deep and diverse Jewish living, during a pandemic, in great part thanks to DiCo DiColandrea. The Young Pioneers Award celebrating DiCo’s generous heart, dedicated mind, deep love of Torah, and detailed organization as an act of service to staff and families alike helps uplift all of CBE, when we see ourselves reflected in DiCo and who DiCo helps each of us to be.”   - Tehilah Eisenstadt, Director of Yachad and Family Education, Congregation Beth Elohim

Melissa Hume, Stephen Wise Free Synagogue Early Childhood Center

"It is both humbling and empowering to receive this honor. As an educator and life-longer learner, I am so grateful for the opportunity to share the work I passionately believe in with the larger community, and I feel deeply inspired to continue to innovate and grow my practice."

Melissa Hume began her career at the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue Early Childhood Center in 2009 as a student teacher while pursuing her degree in Early Childhood and Special Education at NYU. Upon graduation, she joined the teaching staff in 2010 working in a toddler classroom. In the years that followed, Melissa served as a classroom teacher and active member of the ECC’s leadership team before ultimately taking on the role of assistant director in 2018. Throughout her time at the ECC, Melissa has remained deeply committed to pursuing best practice in Jewish early childhood education, drawing inspiration from the Reggio Emilia approach. In addition to her work at the ECC, Melissa has taught in the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue Religious School and supported family programming for the larger synagogue community.  

Reflection from colleagues: 

"Melissa's selection as a Robert M. Sherman Young Pioneers Award recipient is a source of pride for our entire Stephen Wise Free Synagogue Early Childhood Center community.  Her commitment and dedication to children, families and colleagues during the pandemic is a testament to her determination to focus on what is possible.” Miriam Kalmar, Director, Stephen Wise Free Synagogue Early Childhood Center 

Dammara Kovnats Hall, Rodeph Sholom School

"I love sharing Jewish teachings, history and culture. To be celebrated for doing so is truly an honor.  I am humbled to be acknowledged by The Jewish Education Project, an organization that has inspired me and supported my growth with programs that are meaningfully aligned with the Jewish values of chesed, loving connection and tikkun olam, the repair of the world."

Dammara Kovnats Hall was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada) to an Ashkenazi mother and a Jamaican father. After finishing her first degree at the University of Winnipeg, she moved to New York City and completed another degree in Early Childhood Education and Jewish Studies at The City College of New York. Dammara then lived and studied in Israel for two years at the Pardes Institute of Jewish learning studying Talmud Torah where she completed a Masters in Jewish Education through Hebrew College. Currently, Dammara works full-time as a Jewish Studies teacher at Rodeph Sholom School where she strives to create exciting classroom communities that celebrate diversity and inclusion. She is also currently enrolled in the Institute of Culinary Education in a plant based health supportive track. She is also the founder of Jewish Cocktails, a kosher cocktail company that offers mixology classes and services (currently online). In her free time, she enjoys hosting Shabbat meals and riding motorcycles. 

Reflections from Colleagues: 

“Dammara is an educator who teaches from vision and passion. Her creativity, innovation, and dedication to her students is unmatched. She never let go of her passion and vision during the COVID-19 crisis, and her students were the very lucky recipients." -Susan Yammer, Mentor to Dammara, Pardes Day School Educators Program  

Pamela Schuller, HereNow/The Jewish Board

“I am so thankful that The Jewish Education Project is helping to amplify HereNow and through that, the voices of these incredible and courageous teens who are sharing their stories and creating resources around mental health, wellness, and resilience.”  

Pamela Schuller is the founding director of HereNow, a program of the Jewish Board. HereNow is a Jewish teen initiative that promotes mental health, wellness, and resilience through creative programming opportunities and innovative online platforms like the HereNow app (which launched during the COVID-19 pandemic).  

Pamela’s love of combining creativity and mental health has been a thread through her life. She holds a BA in Psychology and Youth Outreach Through the Arts, an MA in Child Advocacy and Policy, and a certificate from MIT in Leadership in the Digital Age, focused on inclusion and mental health.  

Pamela is also an internationally known disability and mental health advocate and professional stand-up comedian. Her stories of growing up in a body she had no control over are engaging, powerful, a little bit heart-wrenching, and unapologetically funny. She gets audiences of every age comfortable and laughing through storytelling and humor. 

Pamela was named one of the 36 Under 36 by The Jewish Week, given the Influencer Award by Matan for her inclusion work, and the Flaunt It Award from Don’t Hide It Flaunt It for her work celebrating difference. 

Reflections from Colleagues: 

“The Jewish Board is very excited that Pamela Schuller is this year’s recipient of the Young Pioneer’s award for her inspiring work in HereNow.  Pam brings a one-of-kind creativity and ability to connect with adolescents: from captivating over 1,000 teens in an in-person event to creating a mental health app for their phones.” Marilyn Jacob, Senior Director, The Jewish Board

Avi Siegel, Temple Israel of Great Neck

“The Jewish Education Project is not just an organization that services the educational world but invests in educators. Working with The Jewish Education Project has been transformative. I am honored by this award, recognizing not only the work I bring to my community but the personal growth that The Jewish Education Project  has helped me achieve.”  

Avi Siegel is the Director of the Waxman High School and Youth Engagement at Temple Israel of Great Neck. He has crafted the program to serve as a sanctuary for all teens in the community. Avi and his staff encourage teens to  explore their minds, feelings, connections, and spirituality. He was recognized as the 2020 Best Teacher of Northshore by Blank Slate Media. Avi believes the work teen educators do is a sacred mission. He considers it a privilege to work with teens everyday in an environment that is rooted in the beauty of ancient Jewish traditions and values.  

Reflections from Colleagues:  

“We are immensely gratified by Avi’s receipt of the Young Pioneers Award but not the least bit surprised.  Avi uses his considerable intellect, intuition and empathy to help students find their Jewish voices.  He inspires all of us at Temple Israel of Great Neck to become better Jews and human beings.  What more can one ask of a Jewish educator?” -Rabbi Howard Stecker, Senior Rabbi, Temple Israel of Great Neck