The Solomon Schechter Awards Program

About the Awards Program

The Solomon Schechter Awards program is one of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism's longest continuously running programs and is a fitting tribute to the memory of Solomon Schechter. When Dr. Schechter founded the United Synagogue in 1913, he hoped that our congregations' standards of our congregations would rise continuously. Since 1949, several hundred congregations have been recognized for excellence in various aspects of synagogue life. Dr. Schechter's stress on meaningful synagogue activity and his emphasis on the synagogue as one of Judaism's core institutions are reflected in general in our mission as a movement, and in particular in the selection and presentation of these awards.

The Solomon Schechter Award rewards extraordinary characteristics and certain unusual and outstanding aspects or achievements that go beyond the expected norms. Award winners deserve recognition for the originality and quality of their programs, for their presentations and achievements. We congratulate them, as well as the many other synagogues that continually strive for excellence. The selection process is not an easy one, and we applaud the efforts of all who submitted entries to the program.

2009 Award Information

• Award Guidelines and Criteria: Full Book
• Solomon Schecter Award Guidelines
• Application Form

Subject Award Guidelines

• Adult Education
• Bulletins
• Early Childhood Education
• Elementary Education
• Family Education
• Fund Raising
• Hazak
• High School Education
• Holocaust Remembrance & Education
• Inclusion of Individuals With Disabilities
• Israel Masorti Affairs
• Judaica and Fine Arts
• Kadima and USY
• Koach/College
• Leadership Development
• Libraries
• Membership
• Outreach to Young Adults/Singles
• Performing Arts
• Programs: Celebrations and Dedications
• Publications
• Small Congregations
• Strategic Planning
• Worship and Ritual

2007 Recipients

2007 award winners are listed below; please click on the links to learn more.

• Adult Education
• Bulletins
• Celebrations and Dedications
• Early Childhood Education
• Elementary Education
• Family Education
• Fundraising
• Hazak
• High School Education
• Holocaust Remembrance
• Inclusion
• Israel/Masorti
• Judaica/Fine Arts
• Kadima and USY
• Keruv/Edud
• Koach
• Leadership Development
• Libraries
• Membership
• Outreach to Young Adults
• Performing Arts
• Publications
• Small Congregations
• Social Action/Public Policy
• Strategic Planning
• Website
• Worship and Ritual

Please be sure to share the information with your congregation's staff and lay leadership. Award-winners will be glad to share information with you; feel free to call or email them.

For More Information

For more information about the Schechter awards, email Aaron Kischel or Ellen Gordon.