Nominations for the 1976 Smolar Award for Excellence in North-American Jewish Journalism are now being accepted, it was announced by Lavy M. Becker of Montreal, chairman of the Award Committee. Awards will be presented to journalists for press coverage in eight categories that cover news, editorial and feature materials. Applicants may enter the competition in only one category in any given year.
The Award, established in 1972 by the Council of Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds (CJF) recognizes achievements by outstanding North American journalists whose work appears in English-language newspapers substantially involved in the coverage of Jewish communal affairs and issues in the United States and Canada.
Created as a tribute to Boris Smolar, Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, and a distinguished author and columnist, this annual award is the highest honor bestowed upon individuals in the North American Jewish journalism field. This year’s awards will be announced at the CJF’s 45th General Assembly in Philadelphia, Nov. 9-14.
EIGHT CATEGORIES ANNOUNCED
The eight categories making up this year’s competition and for which awards, as merited, will be made are: three in the area of “News” coverage for local, national and overseas reportage respectively; two for “Editorial” excellence–either a single editorial or a series, inclusive of cartoons, and for an outstanding regular column devoted to news analysis and commentary; and in the “Features” area, separate awards recognizing a series of articles on a special theme, a single article (inclusive of interviews, personality sketches, film, book reviews), and a regular column whose focus is the local community scene.
This year’s competition covers material published between June 1, 1975 and May 31, 1976, with the deadline for entries Sept. 1, 1976. Nominations can be made by newspapers and journalists of the American Jewish press, as well as organizations and interested individuals. A person can be nominated and/or enter the competition in only one of the eight categories.
In announcing the opening of the ’76 Smolar Award competition, Becker commented that “the growing stature and service record being achieved by the North American Jewish press is a vital fact affecting us all. As informed individuals, better able to shape meaningful responses for ourselves and programs for our communities, we appreciate the extent to which a capacity for decision-making and community-building is due to an alert and dynamic press.” Judging is by the Smolar Award Committee, a body of distinguished representatives of the Jewish and general press, arts and letters, the field of public relations, community leadership and the CJF Board of Directors.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
