In a resounding keynote address delivered June 24 at the 20th annual B’nai B’rith Award for Journalism entitled “The Future of the Jews: How Global Forces are Impacting the Jewish People, Israel, and its Relationship with the United States,” Ambassador Stuart E. Eizenstat, former U.S. under secretary of state and deputy secretary of the Treasury, called on Israel to take responsibility for the collective Jewish future now that it is the largest Jewish community in the world [Click here to read the address]. More than 200 people attended the event in the presence of B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs and Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin. B’nai B’rith World Center Chairman Dr. Haim V. Katz chaired the event.

At the event, Channel 2 News reporter Lee Abramovich received the award for her report “American Jewry makes living kidney donations to Israeli patients” broadcast on the July 9, 2011 weekend news. The moving report reveals the little-known phenomenon of Orthodox American Jews who make live kidney donations to Israelis, their motivations and support structure. In her acceptance speech, Lee noted that the report prompted an upsurge in live kidney donations in Israel.

For the first time in the Award’s 20-year history a Foreign Correspondent Citation was presented. Winner in the general media category in memory of Luis and Trudi Schydlowsky was AP correspondent Diaa Hadid for her June 18, 2011 article about the ruins of the Dar al-Bishi synagogue in Tripoli that she visited during the revolution in Libya, as a backdrop to recounting the illustrious past of that country’s Jewish community.

Also, a Foreign Correspondent Citation (Jewish media category) was conferred upon Jana Beris (Jerozolimski), editor of the Uruguayan Jewish weekly newspaper Semanario Hebreo, for her interview with Jewish Agency Chairnman Natan Sharansky, published on March 24, 2011, and her longtime commitment to Diaspora Jewish journalism. Semanario Hebreo was established in 1960 by Beris’ father, Joseph Jerozolimski. Since his death in 2004 Jana has edited the newspaper from Israel. It is distributed in Uruguay 50 weeks a year.

Since its establishment in 1992, the B’nai B’rith World Center Award for Journalism has recognized excellence in reportaģe on contemporary Diaspora Jewish communities and on the state of Israel-Diaspora relations today in the Israeli print, electronic and on-line media. It is widely acknowledged by the media industry as the most prestigious prize in of its kind in Israel. Members of the distinguished award jury are: Prof. Yehudith Auerbach, Head of the Communication and Journalism Studies Division, Bar Ilan University; David Horovitz, Founding Editor, The Times of Israel; Sara Frenkel, Diaspora Reporter, Broadcast Authority and Lifetime Achievement Award winner for 2002; Shalom Kital, former General Director, News Company, Channel 2; Bambi Sheleg, founder and editor-in-chief, “Eretz Acheret” and award winner for 2011 and Asher Weill, publisher and editor of “Ariel” The Israel Review of Arts and Letters (1981-2003).

The award ceremony was covered in broadcast, print and Internet media.

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