“Our Jewish tradition puts significance on this 18th anniversary, as it corresponds to the Hebrew word for life, ‘chai.’ And so we are gathered to celebrate that Tree of Life that we planted 18 years ago and to marvel at all the wonderful fruit that it has borne.” — Eli Evans, chairman of the board of directors, The Covenant Foundation

Eighteen years of impact. Of innovation. Of honoring the best and the brightest.

For nearly two decades, The Covenant Foundation has supported initiatives and ideas and the practitioners who have developed and harnessed them to change the face of Jewish education across the span of a generation. On October 28th, Jewish educators and community leaders from throughout the country gathered to mark the Foundation's anniversary and celebrate its forward-looking ideals.

Educators honored with a 2008 Covenant Award were recognized at a gala anniversary dinner attended by more than 400 people from across all spheres of the Jewish community. The 2008 Covenant Award honorees - and the positive impact they have on their communities and on the field of Jewish education - are featured in a short film by acclaimed video documentarian Pearl Gluck. (Click here to watch video)

And a symposium - "Uncommon Connections: Conversations About Big Ideas" - featured discussion and examination of bold ideas in the realm of Jewish education and engagement by prominent educators, artists and new media professionals. (Click here to watch video)

"A Covenant of Dreams: Realizing the Promise of Jewish Education," a 128-page commemorative book published by The Covenant Foundation to mark its "chai" anniversary, celebrates in words and pictures the glorious work of those who have received Covenant Foundation grants and Covenant Awards during the last 18 years. It is dedicated "to the thousands of people across North America who seek to keep the Covenant every day." (Click here)