Professional Recognition Awards

This award recognizes a staff person who supports their organization with Heart, Excellence, Reliability and Optimism. The winner of the Unsung HERO award demonstrates their commitment to their work to build relationships and ensure the essential success of their organization. Regardless of tenure, this award honors an employee who is the backbone of your organization and who may not otherwise be recognized. Someone who goes above and beyond their job role to care about the overall functioning of the organization and the people that surround them.

PLEASE SUBMIT APPLICATIONS FOR NOMINATION BY Wednesday March 12, 2026.

In nominating a colleague, consider their demonstration of the following criteria:

Builds connections
Committed to the mission of the organization
Welcoming and engaging
Open to new ideas
Serves as ambassador for the organization
Always helpful to others, a “yes we can” person

The nominee must currently be employed in a Jewish organization in the Greater Baltimore community at least 20 hours per week at the time of nomination.



• Nominee First Name*
• Nominee Last Name*
• Current place of employment*
• Current position/title*
• Nominee's Phone Number*
• Email*
• Number of years at current organization*

• Please tell us below, in 750 words or less, how the nominee demonstrates the following attributes:

  Builds caring relationships and is always helpful to others
  Exhibits a welcoming, engaging and inclusive persona
  Embraces change and new ideas
  Represents your organization as an ambassador
  Goes above and beyond to do excellent work
• Please complete and expand on the following statement: Our organization/staff/team could not function without _________ because…
• Name of person submitting nomination*
• Organization*
• Position*
• Email*
• Phone*

This award honors the memory of Neely Tal Snyder z”l by recognizing a professional with strong commitment and passion for the Jewish community. The winner of this award has helped to build immersive and hands-on experiences/programs that have community impact and demonstrates creativity, openness and inclusion.

PLEASE SUBMIT APPLICATIONS FOR NOMINATION BY Wednesday March 12, 2026.

Please tell us on the following page, in 750 words or less, how the nominee demonstrates some/all of the following attributes, which serve as a tribute to the person Neely Snyder was:

A crafter/enabler/designer/builder of experiences that engage, excite and empower
Someone who can lead/teach but is equally interested in learning from others
Someone who increases the sense of belonging and connectedness to the Jewish community
Someone who provides a pathway to strengthening Jewish identity

Please provide descriptions and examples of the program/project(s) that make(s) the nominee a strong candidate for an award that acknowledges innovation, impact and the advancement of the Jewish community as described in the award above.

Nominations are now being accepted for the Outstanding Jewish Communal Professional Award. The purpose of the award is to recognize mid-level professionals with exceptional promise and to encourage their commitment to a career in Jewish communal leadership. This award is not meant for an entry-level or senior level professional, but someone who is in a mid-level position, with at least 5 years of experience. The recipient, who must be a Jewish communal professional whose organization serves the greater Baltimore community, will be awarded a $1,500 grant to subsidize his/her participation in a professional development opportunity.

PLEASE SUBMIT APPLICATIONS FOR NOMINATION BY Wednesday March 12, 2026

The following are the eligibility guidelines and responsibilities/expectations of the award winner.
Eligibility:

Nominee will embrace the opportunity to develop and grow personally and professionally.
Nominee must be professionally employed in the field of Jewish communal leadership at least 20 hours per week at the time of nomination.
Nominee must be professionally employed in the field of Jewish communal leadership in the greater Baltimore area at the time of nomination.
Nominee should be working in the Jewish community for at least five years.

Please verify the following eligibility requirements:

Please tell us below, in 750 words or less, how the nominee demonstrates the following attributes.

Commitment to Jewish communal service.
Commitment to strengthening and enriching Jewish life and Jewish identity.
Knowledge of the issues facing the Jewish community
Approaches Jewish communal service in a creative and innovative way
Ability to work as a team player and work collaboratively in the larger community
Demonstrates leadership in the greater Baltimore community
Interest in continuing professional development in the field of Jewish communal service

Nominations are now being accepted for the annual Daniel Thursz Distinguished Jewish Communal Service Award. The purpose of this award is to recognize an individual currently functioning in a professional capacity at a Jewish communal organization in greater Baltimore and who has demonstrated outstanding professional work and a lifelong commitment to the field.

PLEASE SUBMIT APPLICATIONS FOR NOMINATION BY Wednesda March 12th, 2026.

Nomination guidelines:
Eligibility:

The nominee should have demonstrated leadership and exemplary professional skills.
The nominee should be a communal visionary for Baltimore.
The nominee may be from any Jewish communal service discipline.
The nominee must have worked in a Jewish communal organization for at least 20 years and must be currently serving the greater Baltimore community.

Please tell us below, in 750 words or less, how the nominee demonstrates the following attributes:

Excellence in Jewish communal service, ethical leadership, social vision, professional skills, creativity and resourcefulness
Commitment to strengthening and enriching Jewish life and Jewish identity, serving as a visionary for the Baltimore Jewish community
Serves as an agent for social change
Serves as a role model/mentor for less experienced Jewish communal workers