2014 Ner Tamid and Vatik Awards will be announced at the Biennial; nominations must be received by 26 September. Click on "read more" for award descriptions and nomination form downloads.

NER TAMID

Since 1993, it has been the custom for the Union for Progressive Judaism to recognise the “Unsung Heroes” in our congregations and affiliated bodies with a Ner Tamid Award.  The “Unsung Heroes” are defined as those members of congregations and affiliate organisations around the region who perform exceptional service for our congregations, for the community, both Progressive and Jewish, and within the wider community.

The award is open to everyone except Presidents or Past Presidents.  The congregation or affiliate organisation is welcome to submit a nomination outlining the specific reasons why the nominee is deserving of such an award.  All nominations, forwarded to the office of the Union for Progressive Judaism, are assessed by the 2013 Awards Committee, which comprises four regional representatives selected by the President of the UPJ.  All nominations are confidential and submissions should not be discussed with the nominees.

The following criteria should be considered when selecting a person for nomination:

• The nominee has participated in congregational activities over many years
• The nominee has provided assistance to Progressive Jewish Communities.
• The nominee has demonstrated outstanding communal involvement within the Jewish Community. 
• The nominee has not held the position of President.
• The nominee has shown outstanding achievement in the sphere of social action.  These activities need not be confined to the Jewish sphere.
• The nominee has been the “backbone” of the Congregation/organisation and has not been formally recognised for his/her work “behind the scenes, and above and beyond the call of duty” or involvement.

While all of the above criteria will be used by the committee in assessing nominations, special emphasis will be placed on a candidate’s contribution within their local community.

VATIK AWARD

At the Annual Conference of the Union for Progressive Judaism held in November 2002 the Vatik Award was created.

This award was created solely for past presidents of congregations, and affiliate organisations who have continued to give excellent service and make a valuable contribution to their community and the wider community.  It is our policy to recognise these worthy individuals through their continued commitment to the community and furthering the Progressive Jewish outlook in our region.

If you have such a worthy candidate, please submit a nomination outlining the detailed reasons for giving such an award to a past president.  Once completed, you can forward it to the UPJ office and where it will be assessed by the 2013 Awards Committee, which comprises four regional representatives selected by the President of the UPJ.  All nominations are confidential and submissions should not be discussed with the nominees.

The criteria are as follows:  

1. The nominee must have shown continued service to his/her community (or any other in the Union) for at least five years   after standing down as president.
2. They must not be a paid employee of that congregation / organisation.
3. They must not have previously received a Ner Tamid Award.
4. They must have shown outstanding commitment to Judaism outside of their own congregation/affiliate organisation.