The Shalom Hartman Institute received nine Simon Rockower Awards for Excellence in Jewish Journalism from the American Jewish Press Association (AJPA) on Monday night, for our journal Sources, our blog Notes for the Field, and our email newsletter. Our award-winning work was recognized on June 23, 2025 during AJPA’s 44th annual conference in Pittsburgh, PA
Award for Excellence in Writing about Antisemitism
James Loeffler, Notes for the Field
What We Have Learned About Campus Free Speech Since October 7
Award for Excellence in Writing about Jewish Thought and Life
Jessica Fisher, Sara Labaton, & Rachel Jacoby Rosenfield, Notes for the Field
Note from the judges: “A breathtakingly thorough examination of Jewish mourning rituals, from the ancient to those in response to Oct 7th. It covers a lot of ground, and ties together many threads of this vast, and often tragic, aspect of the Jewish experience.”
Award for Excellence in General Newsletters
Natalie Panasci Swatez, Sabra Waxman, & Maital Friedman
Ideas For Today
Award for Journalistic Excellence in Covering Zionism, Aliyah, and Israel
Aaron Brusso, Notes for the Field
Welcoming Our College Kids Home to a More Open Conversation about Zionism
Award for Excellence in North American Jewish History
Josh Feigelson
American Jews & Our Universities: Back to Basics (Sources: Jewish on Campus)
Award for Excellence in Writing about Jewish Thought and Life
Shlomo Brody
Morality (Sources: Jewish Life Tomorrow)
Award for Excellence in Writing about Young Families/People
Lauren Cohen Fisher, David Freidenreich, and Rachel Isaacs
How a Multigenerational Community Can Transform College Students into Jewish Adults (Sources: Jewish on Campus)
Note from the judges: “A well-written piece that deftly explores demographic trends and how an innovative approach to programming and outreach can profoundly impact outcomes.”
Award for Excellence in Personal Essay
Stephen Bartell
Celebrating Simultaneous Truths (Sources: Jewish on Campus)
Note from the judges: “I wish I shared this writer’s optimism regarding a resolution to tensions between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian protesters on campus. The fact that I do not, and yet found myself engaged and willing to reconsider what I thought was true, attests to his skill. A piece this well-written, well-reasoned and ultimately persuasive deserves recognition.”
Award for Journalistic Excellence in Covering Zionism, Aliyah, and Israel
Ronit Heyd
Doubt, Empathy, and Hope: Leadership for the Israel of Tomorrow (Sources: On Jewish Leadership)
