Awards were presented at the 37th Annual Simon Rockower Awards banquet held in conjunction with the American Jewish Press Association’s 2018 Annual Conference, June 17 - 19th, in Cleveland, OH.

Category 1: The Louis Rapoport Award for Excellence in Commentary

Division A. Newspapers 15,000 circulation and over; Magazines; Broadcast; Web-based Outlets. 

First Place
Jewish Exponent, Philadelphia, PA
“A message for my son… and us all,” ”Disagree all you want with presidential family, but keep Shabbat out of it,” “Victory at what cost?” by Joshua Runyan+
Click Here to Read Submission
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Second Place
Southern Jewish Life Magazine, Birmingham, AL  
“From the editor” by Larry Brook
Click Here to Read Submission
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Division B. Newspapers 14,999 circulation and under.

First Place
Cleveland Jewish News, Cleveland, OH
“Dying woman’s wish – for husband to be happy again,” “No wonder (this) woman is another Jewish hero,” “Hey Nazis, Virginia is for lovers, not losers” by Regina Brett
Click Here to Read Submission
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Second Place
St. Louis Jewish Light, St. Louis, MO
“Face-to-face with violence: Silence no longer an option,” “Letter from my Dad to his speaks movingly across the decades,” “Forming a Jewish response to mental illness” by Ellen Futterman
Click Here to Read Submission
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Category 2: Award for Excellence in Single Commentary

Division A. Newspapers 15,000 circulation and over; Broadcast; Magazines; Web-based Outlets.

First Place
70 Face Media, New York, NY
“I talked to the ‘anti-Semitic’ Swiss hotel owner. It’s more complicated than you think” by Cnaan Liphshiz
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: I appreciate it when a writer upends conventional wisdom by burrowing deeper into the story. This well-written commentary, buttressed by its interviews with key sources, showed just how enlightening it can be to look beyond the surface.

Second Place
The Forward Association, Inc., New York, NY
“Should we still be singing Shlomo Carlebach’s songs in the #MeToo era?” by Laura Adkins
Click Here to Read Submission

Division B. Newspapers 14,999 circulation and under.

First Place
Intermountain Jewish News, Denver, CO
“Seder night” by Tehilla Goldberg
Click Here to Read Submission  
Comment: Tehilla R. Goldberg’s “Seder Night” is a lyrical, personal and informative appreciation of so many people's favorite expression of Judaism. I will keep a copy, read it before the seder I attend and share its insights with my family and friends when we celebrate Passover.

Second Place
Washington Jewish Week, Rockville, MD
“Finding hope in Tisha B’Av calamaties” by Aaron Leibel
Click Here to Read Submission

Category 3: Award for Excellence in Personal Essay

Division A. Newspapers 15,000 circulation and over; Broadcast; Magazines; Web-based Outlets.

First Place
The Jewish Week, New York, NY
“Kinah: From a survivor of child sexual abuse” by Yehudis Fletcher
Click Here to Read Submission 
Comment: A powerful and heartbreaking cry from the heart on a tragic subject that can never get enough attention. I first questioned whether it was a "personal essay" but soon realized it was a poem, in the form of a prayer, which quickly becomes all a personal essay should be.

Second Place
Hadassah Magazine, New York, NY
“Remembrance of things past” by Rachel Musleah
Click Here to Read Submission  
Comment: A journey into the past, poignantly expressed as one woman’s story, while from the quality of the writing, telling detail upon telling detail, becomes everyone's tale. It reminds us how we are of this place, the place where we now live, while a part of us always remains wherever we came from.

Division B. Newspapers 14,999 circulation and under.

First Place
j. the Jewish News of Northern California, San Francisco, CA
“For Jewish biracial teen activist, poetry is power, heritage is strength” by Tova Ricardo
Click Here to Read Submission  
Comment: Stunning prose from a teen poet. What a talent! What a future! 

Second Place
St. Louis Jewish Light, St. Louis, MO
“The emotional toll of fallen headstones” by Eric Mink
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: Beautifully written – and heartbreaking – account of a visit to a vandalized Jewish cemetery.

Category 4: Award for Excellence in Editorial Writing

Division A. Newspapers 15,000 circulation and over; Broadcast; Magazines; Web-based Outlets.

First Place
The Forward Association, Inc., New York, NY
“Why engaging with Israel is essential,” “What The Forward really said about Gorka – And why we’re proud we did” by Jane Eisner, “For shame” by Dan Friedman
Click Here to Read Submission
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Comment: The Forward's editorials are in a class of their own. They are thought-provoking, powerful, well-crafted and well-argued. In particular, the editorial about support for Israel offered a unique approach toward resolving a painful, timely and very sensitive issue.

Second Place
Jewish Standard, Teaneck, NJ
“Hate should have no home here,” “More about the eruv,” “Save Bennie and Josh” by Joanne Palmer
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: The Jewish Standard’s editorials felt both personal and universal. They offered practical suggestions toward solving problems. The writing itself was crisp and concrete. It told stories, evoked emotion and was much better than I expect from an editorial.

Division B. Newspapers 14,999 circulation and under.

First Place
Jewish Independent, Vancouver, BC
“How we memorialize the past,” “Sukkah more than symbolic,” “The year it all changed” by Pat Johnson, Basya Laye & Cynthia Ramsay
Click Here to Read Submission
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Second Place
St. Louis Jewish Light, St. Louis, MO
“Standing tall,” “Keep church-state barrier strong,” “Wrong way, parkway” by Robert Cohn & Dale Singer
Click Here to Read Submission
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Category 5: The Boris Smolar Award for Excellence in Enterprise or Investigative Reporting

Division A. Newspapers 15,000 circulation and over; Broadcast; Magazines; Web-based Outlets.

First Place
The Forward Association, Inc., New York, NY
“Sebastian Gorka’s ties to Nazi-allied group stretch back decades” by Larry Cohler-Esses, “Senior Trump aide forged key ties to anti-Semitic groups in Hungary,” “Controversial Trump aide Sebastian Gorka backed violent anti-Semitic militia” by Lili Bayer, “Nazi-allied group claims top Trump aide Sebastian Gorka as sworn member” by Lili Bayer and Larry Cohler-Esses
Click Here to Read Submission
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Comment: Investigative journalism that made a difference by exposing Sebastian Gorka’s dubious credentials and his ties with ultra-nationalist, anti-Semitic organizations in Hungary. The attention this work garnered ultimately forced Gorka out of the Trump administration, eliminating core member of the administration's populist cabal.

Second Place
70 Faces Media, New York, NY
“In Turkey-Netherlands row, a foreboding sign for Jews,” “Rise of far-right party raises fears that Austria hasn’t learned from its Holocaust past,” “60,000 joined a Polish nationalist march. Should Jews be worried?,” “Why these 5 European Jews are promoting far-right parties,” “2017 was a good year for Europe’s extremist” by Cnaan Liphshiz
Click Here to Read Submission
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Comment: A deep dive into the rise of nationalism in abroad, a simmering issue that could boil over at any time. Frightening parallels with contemporary U.S. politics.

Division B. Newspapers 14,999 circulation and under.

First Place
Atlanta Jewish Times, Atlanta, GA
“Israelis divided from rest of Jewish Atlanta” by Dave Schechter
Click Here to Read Submission

Second Place
j. the Jewish News of Northern California, San Francisco, CA            
“S.F. State’s Jewish problem: faculty and local leaders decry worsening climate” by Dan Pine
Click Here to Read Submission 

Category 6: Award for Excellence in News Reporting

Division A. Newspapers 15,000 circulation and over; Broadcast; Magazines; Web-based Outlets.

First Place
The Jewish Week, New York, NY
“Former USY director admits to sexual misconduct in the ’80s – Allegations reported to movement years ago” by Gary Rosenblatt
Click Here to Read Submission 
Comment: A classic example of accountability reporting, Gary Rosenblatt's article in The Jewish Week leaves no doubt that a longtime regional leader of United Synagogue Youth engaged in improper sexual behavior with at least three teenagers. What IS still in doubt is whether leaders of the Conservative movement responded appropriately when they learned of the abuse allegations years ago.

Second Place
The Forward Association, Inc., New York, NY
“Nazi-allied group claims top Trump aide Sebastian Gorka as sworn member” by Lili Bayer & Larry Cohler-Esses
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: In a startling piece of international reporting, Lili Bayer and Larry Cohler-Esses of the Forward got two leaders of the Vitezi Rend, a far-right Hungarian group with Nazi ties and anti-Semitic leanings, to confirm – on the record, with full attribution – that President Trump's counter-terrorism adviser, Sebastian Gorka, was a formal member of the group, whose initiation rites include an undying oath of loyalty to its goals. Gorka later resigned after a falling-out with other Trump aides.

Division B. Newspapers 14,999 circulation and under.

First Place
Phoenix Jewish News, Phoenix, AZ
“Teens meet Holocaust survivor in Chandler menorah vandalism case” by Jeff Kronenfeld
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: This narrative is rich and redemptive. Story centers on a smart innovative approach to combat hate.

Second Place
j. the Jewish News of Northern California, San Francisco, CA 
“School year dawns with no resolution for Alameda girl targeted with anti-Semitism” by Sue Fishkoff
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: With rise in anti-Semitic incidents, this captures the insecurity children feel at school.

Category 7: Award for Excellence in Social Justice Reporting

Division A. Newspapers 15,000 circulation and over; Broadcast; Magazines; Web-based Outlets.

First Place
Moment Magazine, Washington, DC
“Letter from New Haven” by Ellen Wexler
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: Compelling, in-depth exploration of Syrian refugee resettlement, told from the viewpoints of Jews who are helping the refugees, officials and rabbis, and the refugees themselves. Excellent use of supporting facts and figures, and strong reporting.

Division B. Newspapers 14,999 circulation and under.

First Place
Jewish Herald-Voice, Houston, TX
“My name is Maya” by Michael Duke
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: A stirring account of one family's experience with a transgender child, Michael C. Duke's article and accompanying photos for the Jewish Herald-Voice illuminate the issue of gender choice with sensitivity, compassion and – above all – solid, factual reporting.

Second Place
Cleveland Jewish News, Cleveland, OH
“Opioid crisis coverage” by Amanda Koehn
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: In her impassioned series, Amanda Koehn forces readers of the Cleveland Jewish News to confront the fact that the Jewish community is not, somehow, immune to the scourge of opioid addiction.

Category 8: Award for Excellence in Feature Writing

Division A. Newspapers 15,000 circulation and over; Broadcast.

First Place
The Forward Association, Inc., New York, NY
“How this Reform Jew became a ‘deplorable’ pro-Trump militia leader” by Sam Kestenbaum
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: This is a fascinating story. Excellent reporting.

Second Place
Jewish Exponent, Philadelphia, PA
“African-American synagogue thrives, is honored with city street sign” by Rachel Kurland
Click Here to Read Submission

Division B. Newspapers 7,500-14,999 circulation.

First Place
j. the Jewish News of Northern California, San Francisco, CA  
“Beyond he and she: New expressions of gender arrive in the rabbinate” by Laura Paull
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: Gender neutrality and identity are intelligently and dispassionately explained in a Jewish context with extensive use of sources and voices. An approach that humanizes the subject works much better to inform the reader than discussing suitability in society or arguing morality.

Second Place
j. the Jewish News of Northern California, San Francisco, CA  
“As recreational marijuana becomes legal in California, Jewish advocates are ready” by Maya Mirsky
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: The article provides a Jewish context to a subject that will be reported in other Jewish publications as governments in their states legalize some form or another of marijuana. The argument that weed can be incorporated into Jewish life brings a different perspective to a subject that is often defined in medical and criminal terms.

Division C. Newspapers 1-7,499 circulation.

First Place
Yiddish Forward, New York, NY
“Finally, Der Nister gets a gravestone” by Ber Kotlerman & Alexandra Poljan
Click Here to Read Submission
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: Fascinating journey and look into a pocket of Judaism.

Second Place
St. Louis Jewish Light, St. Louis, MO
“Saying Kaddish a century later” by Robert Cohn
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: Well done story, delving into the past.

Division D. Magazines; Special Sections and Supplements; Web-based Outlets.

First Place
Moment Magazine, Washington, DC
“Growing up Trump” by Marc Fisher
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: This is a fascinating, balanced and insightful look into the character of Donald Trump by examining his relationships with Jews. Thanks to the graceful writing and telling quotes, the story covers a lot of ground without flagging or bogging down.

Second Place
Moment Magazine, Washington, DC
“After the cyber storm” by Ellen Wexler
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: By focusing tightly on the people in a small community, this story offers a gripping and powerful look at the threats posed by anti-Semitic cyber harassment – and how it can be fought. This story did an excellent job of describing how terrifying a campaign of harassment can be and how difficult it is to recover completely.

Category 9: Award for Excellence in Arts and Criticism News and Features

Division A. Critical analysis/review, usually of a single artistic endeavor, whether in literature, theater, film or fine arts and crafts. All Newspapers; Broadcast; Magazines; Special Sections and Supplements; Web-based Outlets.

First Place
The Forward Association, Inc., New York, NY
“The insanely fascinating history of Hanukkah light” by David Zvi Kalman
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: A seemingly obvious subject explored with unexpected depth. Well researched and not condescending.

Second Place
The Forward Association, Inc., New York, NY
“How Modigliani’s Jewishness informed his art” by Talya Zax
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: A fascinating story, well told, that keeps in mind its mission.

Division B. Reporting on an artistic endeavor, trend, movement or personality, whether in literature, theater, film or fine arts and crafts. All Newspapers; Broadcast; Magazines; Special Sections and Supplements; Web-based Outlets.

First Place
The Forward Association, Inc., New York, NY
“How Jerry Lewis became a great filmmaker and embarrassed everyone in the process” by Daniel Witkin
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: Excellently written and very well analyzed.

Second Place
Jewish Standard, Teaneck, NJ
“Across divides: borders and boundaries in contemporary art” by Joanne Palmer
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: Excellently written and about a very interesting art form and theme coming from a very Jewish place.

Category 10: The David Frank Award for Excellence in Personality Profiles

Division A: Newspapers 15,000 circulation and over; Broadcast.

First Place
The Forward Association, Inc., New York, NY
“Jake Tapper: From Jewish day school troublemaker to Trump’s worst nightmare” by Nathan Guttman
Click Here to Read Submission

Second Place
Jewish Standard, Teaneck, NJ
“Tuvia Tenenbom discovers America” by Joanne Palmer
Click Here to Read Submission

Division B. Newspapers 14,999 circulation and under.

First Place
Intermountain Jewish News, Denver, CO
“Historic evening in Denver: The Buchenwald survivor mesmerizes” by Hillel Goldberg
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: This was a wonderful personality profile showing a man of exceptional courage who spoke his mind even while haters had the floor. The Jewish press here showed bravery in the face of hatred. Bravo. Journalism wins.

Second Place
Intermountain Jewish News, Denver, CO
“Film critic: Leonard Maltin” by Andrea Jacobs
Click Here to Read Submission

Division C. Magazines; Special Sections and Supplements; Web-based Outlets.

First Place
Moment Magazine, Washington, DC
“No patience for patriarchy” by Eetta Prince-Gibson
Click Here to Read Submission

Second Place
Hadassah Magazine, New York, NY
“Good in print: Jennifer Weiner” by Hilary Danailova
Click Here to Read Submission  

Category 11: Award for Excellence in Special Sections or Supplements

All entries competed in the same division.

First Place
The Forward Association, Inc., New York, NY
“The Forward college guide” by Laura Adkins & Aiden Pink
Click Here to Read Submission
Click Here to Read Submission

Second Place
The Jewish Week – Supplements, New York, NY
“Kosher wine guide 2017” by Dan Bocchino, Charles Rosenthal & Robert Goldblum
Click Here to Read Submission

Category 12: Award for Excellence in Writing About Health Care

Division A. Newspapers 15,000 circulation and over; Broadcast; Magazines; Special Sections and Supplements; Web-based Outlets.

First Place
Hadassah Magazine, New York, NY
“In the promised land of medical marijuana” by Wendy Elliman
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: Israel is leading the world in research, development, and commercialization of medical marijuana, and Wendy Elliman's comprehensive and illuminating story explains why. Elliman takes a deep dive into the science of cannabis, coupled with lively portraits of Israeli leaders in cannabis research and cultivation. Her story is highly readable and timely, and offers further proof of Israel's status as a "start-up" nation.

Second Place
The Jewish Week, New York, NY
“Once shrouded in silence, young Jews are demanding openness about mental health disorders” by Hannah Dreyfus
Click Here to Read Submission 
Click Here to Read Submission 
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: This ambitious three-part series by Hannah Dreyfus explores, with sensitivity and style, the growing communal and grassroots response to mental-health issues among young Jewish adults in the New York area. Dreyfus effectively weaves experts’ commentary with affecting portraits of young Jews who have organized and participated in various programs aimed at educating the community about mental illness and helping those who suffer. This is an important series, which benefits from extensive reporting, and ought to be widely shared.

Division B. Newspapers 14,999 circulation and under.

First Place
St. Louis Jewish Light, St. Louis, MO
“St. Louis woman donates a kidney to help beloved B’nai Amoona cantor emeritus” by Ellen Futterman
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: The winner in a very competitive category, this article well explains what it's like to give and to receive a kidney. Nice use of excerpts from Facebook posts.

Second Place
The Boiling Point, Los Angeles, CA
“Private schools play catch-up on immunization against measles” by Hanna Jannol
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: This story covers a fraught health issue in straightforward terms with good reporting. 

Category 13: The Nefesh B'Nefesh Charley J. Levine Memorial Award for Journalistic Excellence in Covering Zionism, Aliyah and Israel.

Sponsored by Nefesh B'Nefesh

Division A. Newspapers 15,000 circulation and over; Broadcast; Magazines; Special Sections and Supplements; Web-based Outlet

First Place
Hadassah Magazine, New York, NY
“Sharper imagers” by Leora Eren Frucht 
Click Here to Read Submission

Second Place
Chabad.org, New York, NY
“Knesset speaker ‘repays debt’ to Soviet-era Chassidic outlaws” by Dovid Margolin
Click Here to Read Submission

Division B. Newspapers 14,999 circulation and under.

First Place
Atlanta Jewish Times, Atlanta, GA
“Federation helps uplift Yokneam’s Ethiopians” by Patrice Worthy
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: The story explores the issues facing the Ethiopian Jewish community that decades after arriving in Israel is still struggling to integrate itself. The author adds local and U.S. relevance by skillfully weaving in the American racial divide: "Community leaders are trying to control the situation by learning from the mistakes of the United States."

Category 14: Award for Excellence in Writing about Women

Division A. Newspapers 15,000 circulation and over; Broadcast; Magazines; Special Sections and Supplements; Web-based Outlets.

First Place
Jewish Action (Orthodox Union), New York, NY
“The contemporary Rebbetzin” by Avigayil Perry
Click Here to Read Submission

Second Place
Cleveland Jewish News – Magazine, Cleveland, OH
“Within reach?” by Amanda Koehn
Click Here to Read Submission 

Division B. Newspapers 14,999 circulation and under. 

First Place
Atlanta Jewish Times, Atlanta, GA
“Marchers stand up for rights and Atlanta” by Rachel Gruskin, Leah Harrison, Ruth Abusch-Magder, Marita Anderson, Rebecca Stapel-Wax & Elizabeth Friedly
Click Here to Read Submission   

Second Place
Phoenix Jewish News, Phoenix, AZ
“The World Egg Bank balances infertility, egg donations and Jewish law” by Torri Levy
Click Here to Read Submission

Category 15: Award of Excellence in Writing about Jewish Heritage and Jewish Peoplehood in Europe

Division A. Newspapers 15,000 circulation and over; Broadcast; Magazines; Special Sections and Supplements; Web-based Outlets.

First Place
Moment Magazine, Washington, DC
“The Polish Republic of untruth” by Konstanty Gebert
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: The Polish Republic of Untruth was a hands-down winner from the start. It is a well written and designed in-depth piece about a timely topic that impacts both European and world Jewry.

Second Place
B'nai B'rith Magazine, Washington, DC  
“House of memories” by Rita Rubin
Click Here to Read Submission  
Comment: I loved the opening line about the good bones. This was a well written and interesting glance at Dutch Jewry in the 20th century, as seen by tracing the history of a home.

Division B. Newspapers 14,999 circulation and under. 

First Place
Baltimore Jewish Times, Owings Mills, MD
’The ship that launched a nation’: 70 years after the voyage of Exodus 1947, one man’s passion leads to Haifa memorial” by Susan Ingram     
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: Strong reporting, using secondary sources in addition to the interview with the primary subject, a local man who was profiled, and well-done research. Comprehensive and compelling writing tells the back story to explain the “why” about the man's memorial project, and makes the reader care about it.

Second Place
Yiddish Forward, New York, NY
“Finally, Der Nister gets a gravestone” by Ber Kotlerman & Alexandra Poljan
Click Here to Read Submission
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: Engaging first-hand description of the authors' trip to the Gulag cemetery in remote Russia where Yiddish writer De Nister is buried, and their mission to install a permanent memorial.

Category 16: Award for Journalistic Excellence in American Jewish History

Division A. Newspapers 15,000 circulation and over; Broadcast; Magazines; Special Sections and Supplements; Web-based Outlets.

First Place
B'nai B'rith Magazine, Washington, DC       
“Trotsky in New York, 1917: A reluctant Jew in a Jewish city” by Kenneth Ackerman
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: Trotsky in New York, Kenneth Ackerman's insightful, enlightening, and amusing essay about Leon Trotsky's brief but transformative residence in New York, manages to capture the cultural richness and political tensions of the city in the 1910s, and the political arguments that animated Trostky's life and Jewish life at that time, and continue to echo today.

Second Place
Lilith Magazine, New York, NY
“Paradoxes of power, female edition: Jewish sisters joust over women’s suffrage” by Alice Sparberg Alexiou
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: Alice Sparberg Alexiou’s portrait of two Jewish sisters who took opposite sides in the women’s suffrage movement is fascinating, moving, and relevant to our own divided times. Alexiou makes the Nathan sisters’ conflicting passions and aristocratic milieu come alive on the page in a well-researched story about two women who deserve more acclaim for their many accomplishments.  

Division B. Newspapers 14,999 circulation and under.

First Place
The Dayton Jewish Observer/Fed. Dayton, Dayton, OH
"Writer to right passage on Wright’s wrong” by Marshall Weiss
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: A fascinating take about one misinformed line in David McCullough's biography about the Wright Brothers. In his book, McCullough suggested that the brothers' sister, Katharine Wright, had come about her anti-Semitism from a place of ignorance. But, using reporting and research, the Dayton Jewish Observer uncovers that Katharine knew Jews thanks to Dayton's decent-sized Jewish population. The author concludes story by recounting his convo with McCullough, who agrees to update the biography. The story addresses one small line in a popular book but, in so doing, it makes a big statement about American Jewry, which has thrived in all corners of the country for well over a century.

Category 17: Award for Excellence in Overall Graphic Design

Division A. Newspapers 15,000 circulation and over; Broadcast.
Not Awarded.

Division B. Newspapers 14,999 circulation and under.

First Place
Baltimore Jewish Times, Owings Mills, MD
“Baltimore Jewish Times” by Ebony Brown & Jennifer Perkins-Frantz
Click Here to Read Submission  
Click Here to Read Submission  
Click Here to Read Submission      

Division C. Magazines, Special Sections and Supplements; Web-based Outlets.

First Place
Jewish in Seattle, Seattle, WA
“Jewish in Seattle” by Neomi Rapoport
Click Here to Read Submission
Click Here to Read Submission

Category 18:The Noah Bee Award for Excellence in Illustrating and/or Editorial Cartooning

Not Awarded.

Category 19: Award for Excellence in Photography

All entries competed in the same division. 

First Place
Chabad.org, New York, NY
“Photo Essay: Chabad rabbi brings relief to Harvey victims” by Chaim Landa & Verónica Cárdenas 
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: Though there were too many images in the edit (a tighter edit will make for a stronger project)...there were some very strong images, including the lead image. Look for details, wide and sense of place images to round out the coverage of nice moments. Could do a better job toning images for the web too.

Second Place
Jewish in Seattle, Seattle, WA
“Meet the resistance” by Joshua Huston
Click Here to Read Submission
Click Here to Read Submission
Click Here to Read Submission
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: Nice stylistic portraits, enjoyed the light and design of the page.

Category 20: Award for Outstanding Digital Outreach

All entries competed in the same division.

First Place
70 Faces Media, New York, NY
“My Jewish Learning” by Staff
Click Here to Read Submission
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Second Place
JewishBoston.com, Boston, MA
“JewishBoston.com: The Vibe of the Tribe” by Kali Foxman, Ashley Jacobs & Miriam Anzovin  
Click Here to Read Submission
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Category 21: Award for Excellence in a Multi-Media Story

All entries competed in the same division.

First Place
70 Faces Media, New York, NY
“Meet Sara Erenthal: She was born into an extremist Orthodox sect, now she’s a prolific artist:” by Molly Tolsky & Marissa Roer
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: By far the most professional of all productions, the producer and crew made the most of medium and the immense amount of time required to produce over 5 minutes and 30 seconds. The storytelling never lags and, by the end, viewers know Sara Erenthal much better than if they had read about her.

Second Place
The Boiling Point, Los Angeles, CA
“With hammers and heart, juniors help rebuild Houston on chesed trip” by Lucy Field, Jordana Glouberman, Talia Abel & Katia Surpin
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: The combination of writing and video made this a strong entry. The video illustrates the damage from Hurricane Harvey in a way that the words cannot. The handheld camera style conveys authenticity, and the multiple voices demonstrate a depth of reporting and editing. Jewish themes are replete in the story itself: repairing the world, kindness to the stranger, and so on.

Category 22: Foundation for Ethnic Understanding Award for Excellence in Interfaith Relations Reports

Division A: Newspapers 15,000 circulation and over; Broadcast; Magazines; Special Sections and Supplements; Web Based Outlets 

First Place
70 Faces Media, New York, NY
“The first medic to respond to the Temple Mount terror attack was Muslim. Here’s his story” by Andrew Tobin
Click Here to Read Submission

Second Place
Southern Jewish Life Magazine, Birmingham, AL
“Churches, ministries rally for Birmingham Jewish community” by Larry Brook
Click Here to Read Submission

Division B: Newspapers 14,999 circulation and under

First Place 
Atlanta Jewish Times, Atlanta, GA
“Atlanta’s Arabs, Jews share so much” by Dave Schechter
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: This story was inclusive of several points of view on Atlanta's Jews and Arabs and their commonalities.

Second Place 
j. the Jewish News of Northern California, San Francisco, CA
“Sustainable faith: Congregations find common purpose in food justice” by Alix Wall
Click Here to Read Submission
Comment: This story offered fresh perspective on a novel use of CSAs. It included a number of interviews.