4 JTA reporters earn Jewish press awards

NEW YORK, June 28 (JTA) — The American Jewish Press Association has honored four reporters from the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

The Simon Rockower Awards for Excellence in Jewish Journalism were presented last week at the AJPA’s 19th annual conference in Washington.

Correspondents Michael J. Jordan, Ruth E. Gruber and Avi Machlis received honorable mention in the comprehensive coverage or investigative reporting category for their articles on “The Jewish Response to the Kosovo Conflict.”

Staff writer Julia Goldman received honorable mention in the excellence in news reporting category for her piece, “Jews Unlikely to Cut Circumcision.”

The Rockower Awards were established in 1980. The purpose of the contest provides incentives for Jewish papers to improve their publications and develop quality journalism.

The following are first-place winners in each category:

The Louis Rapoport Award for Excellence in Commentary and Editorial Writing: Newspapers with more than 15,000 circulation — Jonathan S. Tobin, Jewish Exponent, Philadelphia, Pa., “Israel’s China Syndrome — And Ours.”

Newspapers with less than 15,000 circulation — Robert Horenstein, The Jewish Review, Portland, Ore., “Avoiding Jewish Fireworks: May We Find Strength in That Which Unites Us,” and Candace R. Kwiatek, The Dayton Jewish Observer, Dayton, Ohio, “Our Worst Enemy: Mishpacha & Menshlichkeit.”

Magazines — Gloria Goldreich, Hadassah Magazine, New York, N.Y., “Safe Journeys.”

The Boris Smolar Award for Excellence in Comprehensive Coverage or Investigative Reporting: Newspapers with more than 15,000 circulation — Staff, The Jewish Journal, Los Angeles, Calif., coverage of the North Valley JCC shootings.

Newspapers with less than 15,000 circulation — Merry Madway Eisenstadt, Washington Jewish Week, Rockville, Md., “Community in Cyberspace.”

Excellence in News Reporting: Newspapers with more than 15,000 circulation — Julie Gruenbaum Fax, The Jewish Journal, Los Angeles, Calif., “A Day in Shul With the Dalai Lama.”

Newspapers with less than 15,000 circulation — June D. Bell, Atlanta Jewish Times, Atlanta, Ga., “A Higher Authority?”

Excellence in Feature Writing: Newspapers with more than 15,000 circulation — Robin Friedman, New Jersey News, Whippany, N.J., “A Difficult Search for True Love.”

Newspapers with less than 15,000 circulation — Marilyn H. Karfeld, Cleveland Jewish News, Cleveland, Ohio, “When Birth and Death Collide.”

Magazines — Lyric Wallwork Winik, Moment, Washington, D.C., “The ‘Good’ Nazi Doctor.”

Excellence in Arts and Criticism News and Features: Newspapers with more than 15,000 circulation — Jonathan S. Tobin, Jewish Exponent, Philadelphia, Pa., “Jewish Art, Jewish Artists.”

Newspapers with less than 15,000 circulation — Lisa Traiger, Washington Jewish Week, Rockville, Md., “Raunchy, Realistic ‘Cabaret’ Packs a Punch.”

Magazines — Evan Gahr, B’nai B’rith International Jewish Monthly, Washington, D.C., “Jews on the Tube.”

The David Frank Award for Excellence in Personality Profiles: Newspapers with more than 15,000 circulation — Julie Gruenbaum Fax, The Jewish Journal, Los Angeles, Calif., “Gay, Orthodox and a Rabbi.”

Newspapers with less than 15,000 circulation — Todd Leopold, Atlanta Jewish Times, Atlanta, Ga., “The Rebirth of Ralph Reed.”

Magazines — Andrew Muchin, Jewish Heartland, Milwaukee, Wis., “Land Is Their Roots, Judaism Their Heritage,” and Cynthia Dettelbach, The Reporter, Women’s American ORT, New York, N.Y., “Wherever Nazis Are – A Visit with Beate Klarsfeld.”

Excellence in Overall Graphic Design: Newspapers with more than 15,000 circulation — Baltimore Jewish Times, Baltimore, Md.

Newspapers with less than 15,000 circulation — Atlanta Jewish Times, Atlanta, Ga.

Magazines — Jewish Woman, Washington, D.C.

Excellence in Special Sections or Supplements — Lynn Pelkey, New Jersey Jewish News, Whippany, N.J., “One Hundred Years of Jewish Life in New Jersey,” and Keri Guten Cohen, Debbie Schultz and Beth Kahn, Detroit Jewish News, Southfield, Mich., for the JN Sourcebook – Jewish Living in Metro Detroit.

Newspapers with less than 15,000 circulation — At Home, Connecticut Jewish Ledger, West Hartford, Conn.

Excellence in Photography: Newspapers with more than 15,000 circulation — David Deal, Baltimore Jewish Times, Baltimore, Md., “Mayors Race.”

Magazines — Michele Frentrop, Jewish Exponent, Philadelphia, Pa., Inside Magazine, “Picturing a Life.”

The Noah Bee Award for Excellence in Editorial Cartooning or Illustrating: Cartoons, All Newspapers — Stuart Goldman, Jewish Exponent, Philadelphia, Pa.

Illustrations, All Newspapers — Lynn Pelkey, New Jersey Jewish News, Whippany, N.J.

Cartoons, Magazines — Ranan Lurie, Hadassah Magazine, New York, N.Y., April cover.

Illustrations, Magazines — Brian Raszka, Hadassah Magazine, New York, N.Y.