NEW YORK – The World Jewish Congress (WJC) tonight held its annual Theodor Herzl Award Dinner, honoring two prominent American lawmakers for their leadership in defending Jewish communities and standing firmly with the State of Israel. WJC President Ronald S. Lauder presented the organization’s highest recognition to U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY), bestowing dual Herzl Awards in acknowledgment of their dedication to combating antisemitism at home and abroad as well as their unwavering commitment to preserving and strengthening the unique bond between Israel and the United States.
The WJC’s Theodor Herzl Award, named for the visionary founder of modern Zionism, is presented annually to leading individuals whose work reflects Herzl’s ideals and his belief in protecting the Jewish people and securing their future. This year’s honorees are particularly notable for their principled leadership and bipartisan resolve in the wake of the October 7th attacks.
WJC President Ronald S. Lauder delivered remarks underscoring the significance of honoring both lawmakers. “Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman and New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik are two officials on the national stage who have defied the onslaught against us and stood up to the frightening rise of antisemitism and the hatred of Zionism. They have stood up publicly, unapologetically, and unequivocally in defense of the State of Israel and the Jewish people,” he said.
Lauder added, “When others were silent; or worse, when some members of Congress sided with the terror groups murdering Jewish men, women and children, Senator Fetterman and Congresswoman Stefanik raised their voices loudly and clearly against the rising storm that has engulfed our nation and the world.”
Senator Fetterman addressed the audience via video link due to an unexpected vote in Washington, D.C. Reaffirming his commitment to confronting antisemitism and standing with Israel and Jewish communities worldwide he asserted, “The proudest thing that I’ve done in my entire Senate career is to stand for Israel and with the Jewish community worldwide through this horrible Gaza war after the trauma of October 7th. My vote and my voice are going to continue to follow Israel.”
Congresswoman Stefanik likewise emphasized the imperative of combating hatred and strengthening the alliance between the United States and Israel.
“Being a fighter in the spirit of Herzl requires both courage and vision, the ability to see intuitively where the next battlefield lies and then take up the fight, much like Ambassador Lauder outlined today,” she said.
“We are exposing the truth about how antisemitism has been normalized and institutionalized — and I will not stop until accountability is real, and every Jewish student can walk across campus without fear,” Stefanik declared, referencing her efforts to expose anti-Jewish hatred within academic institutions.
The award ceremony held in New York brought together leaders from government, diplomacy, philanthropy, and the arts, reflecting the WJC’s broad coalition engaged in defending democratic values and confronting antisemitism in all its forms.
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