The Jewish Education Project, an organization to inspire and empower educators to create transformative Jewish experiences, today announced Shine a Light on Antisemitism Civic Courage Award recipients—individuals across the United States and Canada who demonstrate civic courage by taking bold action against antisemitism through education, advocacy and community building.
“With antisemitic incidents at all-time highs, these awards shine a light on ordinary people making extraordinary choices—proving that courage isn’t reserved for history books, but lives in everyday moments when individuals choose to dispel darkness through action,” said Amy Amiel, chief program officer at The Jewish Education Project.
Each award recipient receives a $2,000 award and national recognition.
The 2025 awardees are:
- Sean Garrity, high school student | Albany, N.Y.
- Jenna Presley Barr, high school student | Longmeadow, Mass.
- Tiffany Marie Carson-Givan, middle school educator | Fayette County Public Schools | Lexington, Ky.
- Moshe Spern, high school educator | New York City Public Schools | New York, N.Y.
- Marie-Georgina Salazar, high school educator | Los Angeles Unified School District | Los Angeles, Calif.
- Charmaine D. Rice and Matt Fieldman, community upstanders | Cleveland, Ohio
- Miri Bar-Halpern, Ph.D., community upstander | Natick, Mass.
- Stephen Jacobs, gamer | Jewish Game Developers Special Interest Group (SIG), International Game Developers Association | Rochester, N.Y.
- Aarinii Parms-Green, university student | Xavier University of Louisiana | New Orleans
- Keira Kepets, university student | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | New York, N.Y.
- Keitha-Gail Martin-Kerr, Ph.D., and Jana Lo Bello Miller, Ph.D., university educators and administrators | University of Minnesota | Minneapolis
- Amy K. Milligan, Ph.D., university educator and administrator | Old Dominion University | Norfolk, Va.
- Jacqueline Dressler, Jewish campus professional | Hillel Ontario | Ontario, Canada
- Rachel Sasiene, Jewish campus professional | Hillel International | Houston, Texas
- Matthew Nouriel, influencer | JIMENA: Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa | California
- Soraya M. Deen, influencer | Muslim Women Speakers | California
The winners represent nine categories: high school students, university students, middle school educators, high school educators, university educators and administrators, Jewish campus professionals, community upstanders and influencers.
The selection criteria and values for the award included:
- Civic courage in action: Individuals who stand up to antisemitism in critical moments, demonstrating that education combined with courage can turn the tide.
- Everyday heroes: Real people making real impact—teachers who transform classrooms, students who change campus climate, community members who build bridges and digital defenders who combat online hate.
- Sustained impact: Actions that create ripple effects, inspiring others and generating measurable community change.
- Cross-community allyship: Non-Jewish allies who demonstrate that combating antisemitism is a human problem requiring collective action.
“Inspiring, talented individuals committed to countering antisemitism come from all walks of life,” added Amiel. “This year’s winners are a beacon of light when we most need it.”
For more information on the awards or past recipients, visit the Shine a Light on Antisemitism Civic Courage Award website.
