Chronicle wins 11 national Jewish press awards for outstanding work
Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle recognized for excellence in journalism
The Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle was recognized for excellence in journalism by the American Jewish Press Association, winning 11 Rockower Awards in the weekly and biweekly newspaper division for work done in 2025. The awards were presented on June 4 during the Rockower Awards banquet at the Center for Jewish History in New York City. The awards banquet was held in conjunction with AJPA’s annual conference.
The Chronicle received first place in the category Excellence in Writing about Jewish Heritage and Jewish Peoplehood in Europe for Senior Staff Writer Adam Reinherz’s stories: “Connecting past and present: A seminar bridges Jewish history across northern Europe”; “Observance and observations: Seminar spotlights Vilnius”; “Beneath Latvia’s soil, stories speak”; “No longer ‘Judenfrei,’ Estonia boasts future-focused model developing Jewish youth”; and “In Finland, small Jewish community seeks sizable engagement.”
The Chronicle also received first place in the category Excellence in Feature Writing for freelancer Deborah Weisberg’s story “JCLP guides congregations through sustainability, mergers and last chapters.”
The Chronicle won five second place awards: Senior Staff Writer David Rullo won in the category Excellence in Personal Essay for “Wanted for being Jewish”; Editor Toby Tabachnick won for Excellence in Writing About Antisemitism for “Jewish students share their struggles with antisemitism at Pitt”; Reinherz won in the category Excellence in Writing about Young Families/People for “College decision process prompts pause and questions for students and parents”; the editorial staff won for Excellence in Editorial Writing for “Anti-Israel activists show true colors by targeting teenage Jewish athletes,” “Moral clarity matters: Leaders must call this what it is” and “A New Year’s call to responsibility: Suggested resolutions for 2026.” A second place award also went to freelance writer Emma Riva for Excellence in Arts — Review/Criticism for “One Oxford Centre features photographer’s striking landscapes of Israel.”
Reinherz received honorable mention in the category Excellence in Writing about Health Care for “JHF initiative empowers Pennsylvanians to address teen mental health”; in Excellence in Writing About Sports for “At the edge of the pool Coach Al Rose delivers perspective”; and for Excellence in Education Reporting for “With eye to future, educators aid ‘COVID kindergarteners.’” Weisberg received an honorable mention for Excellence in Arts News and Features — Reporting for “Pittsburgh scholar studies world’s oldest synagogue paintings firsthand in Syria.” PJC
Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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