Awards & Recognitions

Simon Konover Recognition for Excellence in Holocaust Teaching

In 2016, Voices of Hope and the HERO Center launched its Simon Konover Recognition for Excellence in Holocaust Teaching. The award recognizes educators who have shown their passion for Holocaust education. Simon, who was a Holocaust survivor himself, endured unimaginable hardships during the Shoah. In the years following, Simon made sure to live every day of his life to the fullest, minute to minute, not hour to hour. It is through this award that we continue to recognize the importance of individual teachers and their dedication to bear witness to the Holocaust.

Previous honorees:

  • 2022: Kimberly Ballaro, Ian Lowell, Jessica Palliardi, and Lauren Thompson
  • 2020: All Our Outstanding Educators
  • 2019: Amy Miller and Colleen Simon
  • 2018: Dr. Avinoam Patt and Dr. Joseph Olzacki
  • 2017: Beth Krasemann and Lorie Zackin
  • 2016: Stu Abrams

The HERO Center Award

In 2022, we introduced our new annual HERO Center Award for schoolwide excellence in teaching the Holocaust and other genocides which recognizes schools that go above and beyond to teach the lessons of courage, empathy and being an upstander. Voices of Hope and the HERO Center are encouraged by these schools’ deep sense of commitment to the Holocaust and other genocides that will foster caring students who will continue to take these lessons into their communities.

Previous honorees:

  • 2022: Classical Magnet and Fairfield Middle Schools

Please check back in fall 2022 for a call for nominations.