FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE,   May 24, 2007

For More Information Contact:

Jonathan Burman or Tom Dunn at (518) 474-1201

Internet:  http://www.nysed.gov

BROOKLYN ADVOCATE AND YONKERS TEACHER

RECEIVE 2006 YAVNER AWARDS 

              Ira Bilus, a community educator and advocate in Brooklyn for education about the Holocaust, today received the 2006 Louis E. Yavner Citizen Award.  Beth Quinn, a special education teacher at Gorton High School in Yonkers, received the 2006 Louis E. Yavner Teaching Award.

              Established by the New York State Board of Regents and funded by the late Regent Emeritus Louis E. Yavner of New York City, who served on the Board from 1975-1981, the annual awards recognize teachers and private citizens who have made outstanding contributions to teaching about the Holocaust and other violations of human rights.

              In the formal presentation today, Bilus was recognized for his efforts to further Holocaust education, commemoration, and remembrance through the creation of a Holocaust Memorial Park, and coordination of Holocaust education activities in local schools.  He was a recipient of the Holocaust Memorial Committee’s 1990 Holocaust Humanitarian Award.

              Quinn was cited for creating and implementing the interdisciplinary Meeting Hate with Humanity program, which integrates the core curricula in social studies and English language arts with the arts and service learning, facilitating numerous linkages between students and global communities through an exploration of past and present social issues.

              Along with formal citations, both recipients received checks for $250.  The awards were made at this month’s Board of Regents meeting.  

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