(JTA) — Forward editor-in-chief Jane Eisner has been awarded the 2015 David Twersky Journalism Award.
The prize was awarded to Eisner for her June editorial calling for an easing of the Jewish conversion process, according to a news release. Eisner will receive a medal and a $1,000 honorarium at an award ceremony in the spring.
The editorial, titled “Why Is it so Hard to Convert to Judaism?,” called for an easier and quicker conversion process to Judaism, particularly through the Conservative movement.
The award, in its third year, is named for the former editor of the New Jersey Jewish News who died of cancer in 2010 at age 60. The award recognizes the work of journalists at the Forward and New Jersey Jewish News, the two publications where Twersky worked for nearly two decades.
Amir Cohen, a colleague of Twersky during his tenure with both publications, founded the award in Twersky’s memory.
“The goal is to always find that one piece that David would have considered most remarkable,” said Cohen, the head of the judges’ committee. Three of Twersky’s children also served as judges.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.