The Algemeiner Celebrates Jewish Life with Annual J100 Gala in New York, NY

Photo Credit: Jared Siskin/PMC

In a wake of Kanye West’s antisemitic lines, J100 held their annual gala in NEW YORK, NY. “50 years–what an accomplishment for The Algemeiner!”, said Consul General of the State of Israel Asaf Zamir to a crowded room at the Algemeiner newspaper’s J100 Gala. He continued, “We gather today, on the 29th of November, which marks the 75th year of the state of Israel – the UN resolution when countries of the world came together to recognize the Israeli people’s ancestral right to their eternal homeland. This year in New York, I’ve witnessed the alarming rise in anti-Semitism and anti-Israel rhetoric. This is why I strongly believe in educating, reporting, and writing about Jewish and Israeli issues. This room is filled with people who do just that. Thank you to the people of the Algemeiner!”

Photo Credit: Jared Siskin/PMC

The Algemeiner newspaper celebrated its 50th Anniversary by honoring singer Pat Boone, NBA star Enes Kanter Freedom, former Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz, and philanthropists Ben and Annie Fisher. Dana Arschin, two-time Emmy award-winner, and TV journalist hosted. The Gala heralded the highly anticipated J100 List, of the top 100 individuals positively influencing Jewish life, similar to the TIME100.

Photo Credit: Jared Siskin/PMC

Esteemed philanthropist Mark Gerson introduced Pat Boone, the 88-year-old rock ‘n’ roller and author of the theme song of the classic movie “Exodus.” Pat was honored for his political activism and advocacy for Israel. Months later while visiting with Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and speaking about my time near Mount Herman and then in occupied Syrian territories, he went to the map and put his finger up. He said ‘you brought us a prophecy.  The land surrounding that bunker is now part of the new map of Israel.’”

Photo Credit: Jared Siskin/PMC

NBA star Enes Kanter Freedom was honored for launching a basketball camp for Muslim, Jewish, and Christian children in Jerusalem. He recounted, “I grew up in Turkey, and the politicians would attack America and Israel to get elected. When I was 8 years old, I remember playing with friends and they started burning American and Israeli flags because they saw it on TV. My mom said ‘don’t hate anyone before you meet them’. When I was on the Boston Celtics, the Consulate General of Israel to New England invited me to Holocaust Remembrance Day. I met a Holocaust survivor who asked why I was there and I said, ‘to learn’. It was there that I came up with this crazy idea; let’s use basketball as a tool to bring people together. So, I set up this basketball camp in Israel and Palestinians came. Jewish, Christian, and Muslim people came. We had the most amazing time. This is why, even with our differences in backgrounds, color, religion, and cultures, we need to leave our differences on the table and try to find what we have in common.”

Philanthropists Ben and Annie Fisher accepted their award, in recognition of their generous support of Israel. 

Photo Credit: Jared Siskin/PMC

Sebastian Kurz was honored for his work as the youngest chancellor in Austrian history, who spoke out strongly against antisemitism during his appointment. Kurz shared, “The fight against antisemitism and the preservation of a culture of remembrance is a historical responsibility that not only belongs to the older generation.” 

Photo Credit: Jared Siskin/PMC

Speakers included Publisher Simon Jacobson, Emily Austin, Malcolm Hoenlein, and Ukrainian refugee Slavik Gokhman. Guests included Michael and Dana Cohen, Ambassador Gilad Erdan (Permanent Representative of Israel to the U.N.), Ron Fisher, Jonathan Holtzman, Michael Moffson, Mark Moskowitz, Gail Propp, and James Taranto.

Photo Credit: Jared Siskin/PMC

Photo Credit: Jared Siskin/PMC

Photo Credit: Jared Siskin/PMC

About The J100 List

The J100 Gala annually celebrates the release of the Algemeiner’s J100 List, of the top 100 individuals positively influencing Jewish life, similar to the TIME100. The 2022 list includes NBA stars Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Charles Barkley, President Joe Biden, actress Helena Bonham Carter, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, film-maker Ken Burns, Holocaust survivor Lily Ebert, reality star Kim Kardashian, businessman Ronald Lauder, singer Barry Manilow, and actor Tyler Perry.