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November 3, 2024
Yiddish/American stage, radio, movies, television actress and singer Molly Picon was inducted into the Jewish-American Hall of Fame in a zoom ceremony featuring a video by cantor Lynn Torgove, “The Unsinkable Molly Picon.” Click here to watch the program.
October 12, 2024(Columbus Day)
Christopher Columbus was of Jewish ancestry, DNA experts concluded in a long-awaited investigation into the true origins of one of history’s most famous explorers. Researcher conducted over 22 years suggests that Columbus was not a sailor from Genoa, as previously believed, but in fact from a family of Jewish silk spinners from Valencia. For further information click here .
May 14, 2023
Purchasers of the David Ben-Gurion/75th Anniversary of Israel medal have a tree planted in their honor in Israel by the JNF. David Ben-Gurion was Israel’s first Prime Minister, and is considered as “The Father of Israel.” No more than 75 3-inch bonded bronze medals will be made by its designer Jim Licaretz. You can obtain further information and ordering instructions by contacting directorjahf@yahoo.com.
November 19, 2023
Artist, photographer, explorer, author and inventor Solomon Carvalho (1815-1897) was inducted into the Jewish-American Hall of Fame in a zoom ceremony on November 19, 2023. A dozen of participating experts can be viewed on youtube by Clicking here.
November 13, 2022
Induction of Ruth Gruber, photojournalist, author and humanitarian, into the Jewish-American Hall of Fame. The zoom ceremony includes representatives from the American Jewish Historical Society, the Virginia Holocaust Museum (home of the JAHF plaques), the Skirball Museum in Cincinnati (home of the JAHF medal collection), the Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum, the Alaska Jewish Museum, the Combat Antisemitism Movement, and others. For a free invitation, send a request to directorjahf@yahoo.com.
April 5, 2022
100% of Profits from Sale of Zelensky Medals will be Contributed to Help Ukrainians The Jewish-American Hall of Fame has commissioned Jim Licaretz, a former sculptor-engraver at the U.S. Mint, to create a bold heroic portrait of Ukraine’s valiant President Volodymyr Zelensky for a limited edition of large 3 ˝ inch art medals - which are being offered, with 100% of the profits being contributed to aid the embattled Ukrainians in their homeland and as refugees. You can obtain further information and ordering instructions by clicking here.
November 14, 2021
Induction of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster into the Jewish-American Hall of Fame . The 2021 inductees are the creators of Superman, the first comic book super-hero. The ceremony included Sam Asher, Director of the Virginia Holocaust Museum (home of the JAHF plaques), Abby Schwartz, Executive Director of the Skirball Museum in Cincinnati (home of the JAHF medal collection), and Elan Carr (Former US Special Envoy to Monitor &Combat Antisemitism). You can see the entire induction program by clicking here.
March 15, 2020
 Mel Wacks, founder of the Jewish-American Hall of Fame, has written the definitive book: “Medals of the Jewish-American Hall of Fame 1969-2019.” Included are full color pictures of all medals, biographies of more than 50 inductees, back stories of the medals (correspondence with the medalists and preliminary art work), mintages and mints, and much more. Just as you don't have to own a Rembrandt to enjoy an art museum, you don't have to be a medal collector to appreciate this handsome and informative volume. You can order this extensively illustrated, large 8 ˝ x 11” 150 page book for $35 postpaid from amazon by clicking here.
January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020
 A medal exhibit celebrating the Power of Her will be on view throughout 2020, on the main floor of the Cincinnati Skirball Museum. The six women chosen for the display are Emma Lazarus, Ernestine Rose, Henrietta Szold, Lillian Wald, Gertrude Elion, and Rebecca Gratz. Featured are medals issued by the Jewish-American Hall of Fame. If you can’t get to Cincinnati, you can see the medals and read the texts here.
July 16, 2019
 The Jewish-American Hall of Fame received an email from Charles L. stating “I purchased a JAHF plaque on eBay. This one is a bronze Judah Magnes plaque, about 9" x 8-1/2", with a mounting screw on the back. Overall it is in nice condition.” The plaque turned out to be the original model for the Jewish-American Hall of Fame’s first medal, made in 1969 to honor Judah L. Magnes. It was a miracle that it was discovered after missing for nearly 50 years! Charles kindly returned the model to the Jewish-American Hall of Fame archives. You can read the full story by clicking here.
March 21, 2019
A special exhibit “Striking Medals: 50 Years of the Jewish-American Hall of Fame” runs from March 21 – June 2, 2019 at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) Skirball Museum in Cincinnati. We will also celebrate the induction of HUC founder, Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, into the Jewish-American Hall of Fame on April 4.
May 17, 2017
Dr. Jeffrey Hoffman and Dr. Judith Resnik were inducted into the Jewish-American Hall of Fame at the Jewish Heritage Center at the New England Historic Genealogical Society. Dr. Jeffrey Hoffman told about his spinning dreidel floating without gravity, and Dr. Charles Resnik’s reminiscences about his sister Judith, who tragically died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster, were read. Portions of their talks can be read here
 From left to right: Mel Wacks, Director of the Jewish-American Hall of Fame, with Dr. Jeffrey Hoffman;
Dr. Charles Resnik; and Dr. Judith Resnik.
August 1, 2012
Jewish-American Hall of Fame Web Site to be Administered by the American Numismatic Society
The ANS indicates that “Andrew Meadows, Deputy Director of the American Numismatic Society and Mel Wacks, Director of the Jewish-American Hall of Fame Division of the American Jewish Historical Society have signed an agreement to transfer the web site of the Jewish-American Hall of Fame, www.amuseum.org, to the auspices of the ANS ‘so that it will survive and remain relevant. Mel Wacks will oversee the web site at least through 2019, and thereafter if he is able. The American Numismatic Society, organized in 1858 and incorporated in 1865 in New York State, operates as a research museum under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is recognized as a publicly supported organization under section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) as confirmed on November 1, 1970.”
June 12, 2012
The Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washingtonissued art medals (coordinated by the Jewish-American Hall of Fame) commemorating pioneer American Jewish aviator Arthur Welsh (1881-1912). The medals were issued in conjunction with a public reception, symposium and exhibition at the College Park Aviation Museum in College Park, Maryland—almost exactly a century after his tragic death while testing a military plane at the College Park airfield.
May 15, 2010
Jewish-American Hall of Fame Plaques Featured at the Virginia Holocaust Museum
This permanent display begs the question: What if…. What if one of the murdered millions had discovered a cure for cancer, HIV/AIDS or Alzheimer’s? Would fossil fuels have become obsolete had an alternative been discovered by one of the Jewish children exterminated by the Nazis? Such questions should come to mind in this striking, new gallery that explores the impact of Jewish intellect on humanity. The Museum, located at 2000 East Cary Street in Richmond, is open Monday – Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Saturday 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Sunday 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM. There is no admission fee. Call (804) 257-5400 for further information.
October 26, 2007
In Celebration of Victor Ries' 100th Birthday
Here's the story of how Victor Ries shaped the future of the Jewish-American Hall of Fame medals project.
May
15, 2004
350th Anniversary of Jewish Life in America Medal
A committee
has chosen the designs of Dana Krinsky for the official medal
celebrating 350 Years of Jewish Life in America, which will be
celebrated nationally from September 2004 through September 2005.
March
20, 2000
The Incredible Gerta
Ries Wiener
by Mel Wacks
A tribute to a wonderful artist, a unique person, and a good friend who died in her sleep on March 1, 2000 at the age of 101. Gerta created eleven medals for the Jewish-American Hall of Fame between 1971 and 1994, and won the prestigious American Numismatic Association Numismatic Art Award for Excellence in Medallic Sculpture in 1998.
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