JDC sets up journalism prize for Israel-Diaspora relations

JERUSALEM, March 5 (JTA) — A new journalism award has been established in memory of Boris Smolar, a former editor in chief of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Announcing the establishment of the award in Israel, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee said the award fulfills the wish of Smolar to continue to build closer Israel-Diaspora relations. “As a pioneer in the field of Jewish journalism, Boris Smolar understood journalism’s crucial role in preserving Israel-Diaspora ties, and saw the need to enhance the media’s role in helping Jews in Israel understand a relationship that is continually changing,” said Ralph Goldman, honorary executive vice president of JDC and a member of the panel that will award the prize. Smolar served as JTA editor from 1924 to 1967. The first Boris Smolar Prize on Israel-Diaspora Relations will be awarded next month for the best feature or news story on the subject of Israel-Diaspora relations to have been published or broadcast in Israel during 1996. The award carries a cash prize of $2,500, which is funded by a bequest made especially for this purpose in Smolar’s will. The deadline for submissions is March 31. All queries should be addressed to the JDC office in Israel at P.O. Box 3489, Jerusalem, Israel 91034.