Rabbi David Baron

Elliott Broidy Jewish American Heritage Month

June 19 2026

From Beverly Hills to Capitol Hill: Three American Jews Honored

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The occasion was Project Legacy’s annual Jewish American Heritage Month luncheon, an event that civic engagement leader Ezra Friedlander has, over the years, turned into one of May’s most substantive gatherings in Washington

Originally published in the Jewish Journal

Jewish American Heritage month wrapped up this year with something worth holding onto: a room full of senators, foreign ambassadors and Jewish community leaders inside the Kennedy Caucus Room of the Russell Senate Office Building, gathered to honor three individuals doing the kind of work the moment demands.

The occasion was Project Legacy’s annual Jewish American Heritage Month luncheon, an event that civic engagement leader Ezra Friedlander has, over the years, turned into one of May’s most substantive gatherings in Washington

“This year’s honorees reflect a deep commitment to public service, innovation, philanthropy, and the fight against hatred and intolerance,“ Friedlander said.

Malcolm Hoenlein, CEO Emeritus of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, co-chaired alongside Eric J. Gertler, executive chairman of U.S. News & World Report. Hoenlein helped establish Jewish Heritage Week with Ronald Reagan and Elie Wiesel in the early 1980s, which ultimately became the program now observed in May.

“As we witness the rise [of antisemitism]across the country,” he said, “this event is an answer to these outrageous actions.“

Senators and representatives from both parties filled the room.

It was Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) who set the tone of the room. “It’s just never been a harder time in my lifetime to be a Jew in America,“ she said. “As a Democrat, it’s my responsibility to call out antisemitism in my own party, just as I hope that Sen. Lankford calls out antisemitism in his party.“ Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) was seated in the audience along with Senators Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), along with Reps. Randy Fine (R-Fla) and Ken Calvert (R-Calif.). Remarks came from Rabbi Pini Dunner of Young Israel of Beverly Hills, Rabbi Mordechai Suchard of The Gateways Organization, and Rabbi Levi Shemtov of American Friends of Lubavitch.

Elissa Slotkin, Ezra Friedlander, Elliott Broidy

The three honorees – a Nobel laureate, a Beverly Hills rabbi and an LA philanthropist – each received awards.

Dr. Harvey J. Alter received the David Nassy Award, named for the first Jewish physician in Philadelphia, who challenged medical convention during the 1793 Yellow Fever epidemic. A senior scholar in Transfusion Medicine at the NIH Clinical Center, Dr. Alter shared the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering the Hepatitis C virus, a finding that transformed blood screening and reduced transfusion-transmitted hepatitis to near-zero worldwide. Elliott Broidy presented the award and called him “a gift from God to the field of medicine and the world at large.“ Dr. Alter offered his own theory on Jewish scientific achievement. “After years of intensive research, I’ve understood now why there’s such a preponderance of Jewish scientists,“ he said. “It’s because they all had Jewish mothers.“

Rabbi David Baron, founder of Temple of the Arts in Beverly Hills, received the Creativity in the Jewish Community Award for an early-childhood curriculum in altruism and empathy that started as a local community program and has since grown into a national and global educational initiative. The premise behind it is hard to argue: if you want to stop prejudice, you have to get to children before their frameworks harden. Adult education, legislation, enforcement – none of it reaches people at the moment when their understanding of the world is actually being formed. Rabbi Baron’s program does.

“Our great country was founded on the biblical principles that have kept the Jewish people for millennia and form the foundation of Western civilization,“ he told the room.

What brought Rabbi Baron’s curriculum to a global stage was a purchase made by the third honoree, one of the more striking acts of Jewish philanthropy the community has seen recently.

Elliott Broidy grew up in Los Angeles with his father, a World War II veteran and a Purple Heart recipient, and his mother who was a nurse. Broidy shared how his humble beginnings informed his philanthropic work. By his mid-30s he was already giving seriously to hospitals, synagogues and educational institutions across the U.S. and Israel. After Sept. 11, he spent three years on the Homeland Security Advisory Council, six on the LA Fire and Police Pension Fund, and six on the board of the Simon Wiesenthal Center–Museum of Tolerance.

Oct. 7, 2023 pushed him further and harder. Broidy now co-chairs, alongside philanthropist Dr. Thomas Kaplan, the Fund to End Antisemitism, Extremism and Hate – the organization behind ARCHER at House 88, the Auschwitz Research Center on Hate, Extremism, and Radicalization. ARCHER was built in collaboration with the Counter Extremism Project, the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum, and UNESCO, and operates inside the former private villa of Commandant Rudolf Höss in Oświęcim, Poland. The house is now a global center for research and public education on extremism.

The connection between Broidy and Rabbi Baron runs deeper than a shared ceremony. Broidy previously acquired at auction one of only two existing original architectural whiteprints of the Auschwitz-Birkenau crematoria, paying $1.5 million – a figure chosen deliberately to match the 1.5 million Jewish children murdered in the Holocaust. The document, authenticated by Auschwitz historian Robert Jan van Pelt, is the technical blueprint for Crematoria II and III, the main gas chambers of Birkenau. The auction proceeds went to Rabbi Baron’s early-childhood curriculum. A blueprint designed to end children’s lives was redirected toward building them.

Broidy received the Visionary Award and directed his proceeds the same way. In his acceptance speech, he returned to the values his parents had instilled in him.

“Success is not something you achieve for yourself,“ he said, “but something you achieve so that you can give back to your family, your community and your country.“Jewish American Heritage Month exists to recognize exactly this, the accumulated work of Jewish Americans who didn’t wait for conditions to improve before deciding to act. Three of them stood in the Kennedy Caucus Room and made a fairly strong case for what that actually looks like.

June 18 2026

Elliott Broidy Honored on Capitol Hill During Jewish American Heritage Month

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Entrepreneur and philanthropist Elliott Broidy, Nobel laureate Dr. Harvey J. Alter, and Rabbi David Baron were honored on Capitol Hill on May 19 during the annual Jewish American Heritage Month celebration, a gathering of members of Congress, foreign ambassadors and trade ministers, and Jewish communal leaders recognizing the significant role Jewish Americans have played in the safety, security, health, cultural and civic life, and well-being of the United States.

The event was held in the historic Kennedy Caucus Room of the Russell Senate Office Building, where congressional leaders and other participants recognized the contributions Jewish Americans have made to society, especially acknowledging this year’s distinguished honorees for their achievements in philanthropy, national security, medicine, Holocaust remembrance, and Jewish communal life.

Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), as well as Reps. Randy Fine (R-Fla.) and Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), participated in the event.

Elliott Broidy was honored with the Visionary Award for his leadership in philanthropy, national security, Holocaust remembrance, Jewish communal life, and efforts to combat antisemitism and extremism.

Broidy is Chairman and CEO of the private equity firm Broidy Capital Holdings, which invests in a range of national security and public safety technology companies.

Broidy donated funds to help the Counter Extremism Project (CEP) purchase the former home of Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss, located adjacent to the concentration camp, allowing CEP to transform it into the Auschwitz Research Center on Hate, Extremism and Radicalization (ARCHER) at House 88. The center is dedicated to confronting antisemitism and extremism using advanced technologies, including efforts to disrupt the financial networks that fund terrorism. ARCHER also hosts cultural programming and exhibits, including its current exhibition, The Birdman of Auschwitz: Science and the Failure of Conscience.

Elliott Broidy also recently acquired an original architectural drawing of the Auschwitz-Birkenau crematoria. The $1.5 million acquisition symbolically honored the approximately 1.5 million Jewish children murdered during the Holocaust, with proceeds supporting educational initiatives focused on empathy, moral courage, and character formation. The artifact will be exhibited at institutions dedicated to Holocaust remembrance and combating antisemitism before eventually finding a permanent institutional home.

“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition during Jewish American Heritage Month alongside individuals whose work reflects the very best of Jewish American achievement and public service,” said Elliott Broidy. “Jewish American Heritage Month is an opportunity not only to celebrate the extraordinary contributions Jewish Americans have made to our country, but also to recommit ourselves to confronting antisemitism, preserving the memory of the Holocaust, and defending the democratic values that make our society strong.”

“At a time when antisemitism and extremism are rising around the world, we cannot afford complacency,” Broidy added. “We have a responsibility to educate future generations, support institutions dedicated to truth and remembrance, and ensure that hatred is confronted wherever it appears.”

The annual celebration was organized by Project Legacy under the leadership of Ezra Friedlander and chaired by Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman Emeritus of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, and Eric J. Gertler, Executive Chairman and CEO of U.S. News & World Report.

Virologist and medical researcher Dr. Harvey J. Alter was honored with the Dr. David Nassy Award for his groundbreaking work leading to the discovery of the Hepatitis C virus, and Rabbi David Baron of Temple of the Arts with the Creativity in the Jewish Community Award for his contributions to Jewish cultural and religious life, Holocaust education, and philanthropy.

Dr. Alter received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for research that transformed blood screening protocols and helped save millions of lives worldwide. Rabbi Baron was recognized for decades of leadership in Jewish cultural and religious life, Holocaust remembrance, and public service through media, philanthropy, and international remembrance initiatives.

Jewish American Heritage Month traces its roots to the early 1980s, when Jewish Heritage Week was established following discussions among Malcolm Hoenlein, President Ronald Reagan, and author and humanitarian Elie Wiesel. It later evolved into the month-long national observance recognized each May.

May 29 2026

Philanthropist Elliott Broidy Presented with Visionary Award at the Jewish Heritage Celebration on Capitol Hill

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The annual Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) luncheon was held May 19 on Capitol Hill, bringing together bipartisan members of Congress, foreign ambassadors, and civic, business, and religious leaders in the historic Kennedy Caucus Room of the Russell Senate Office Building to honor the enduring contributions of Jewish Americans to the United States.

The event was co-chaired by Malcolm Hoenlein, CEO Emeritus of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and Eric J. Gertler, Executive Chairman of U.S. News and World Report. It honored entrepreneur and philanthropist Elliott Broidy with the Visionary Award, Nobel Prize winning physician Dr. Harvey J. Alter with the Dr. David Nassy Award, and Rabbi David Baron of Temple of the Arts in Beverly Hills with the Creativity in the Jewish Community Award.

In accepting the Visionary Award, Broidy reflected on the values his parents instilled in him — his father a decorated World War II veteran, turned schoolteacher, his mother a nurse — and the lesson they passed down: that success carries with it a responsibility to give back to family, community, and country. He praised Dr. Alter as an embodiment of tikkun olam for identifying a virus that was silently claiming millions of lives, and recognized Rabbi Baron’s work building curricula around altruism and empathy in young people as among the most consequential being done in America today.

Broidy described the luncheon as more than a celebration of JAHM, calling it a reaffirmation of the shared responsibility to confront hatred and protect the values of tolerance, democracy, and human dignity at a moment when antisemitism has risen sharply both in the United States and around the world.

Various U.S. Senators participated in the program, including Richard Blumenthal, John Fetterman, John Hickenlooper , Elissa Slotkin, Ron Wyden, James Lankford, Jacky Rosen, Pete Ricketts, Jeff Merkley, and Tim Sheehy. U.S. Representatives Randi Fine and Ken Calvert also delivered speeches.

Rabbi Pini Dunner of Young Israel of Beverly Hills delivered remarks on the honorees, as did Rabbi Mordechai Suchard of The Gateways Organization and Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Executive Vice President of American Friends of Lubavitch.

The celebration traces its roots to the early 1980s, when Jewish Heritage Week was launched following discussions between Malcolm Hoenlein, President Ronald Reagan, and author and humanitarian Elie Wiesel, later evolving into the month-long observance recognized today.

The event was organized by Project Legacy under the leadership of Ezra Friedlander, whose work has made the Capitol Hill JAHM luncheon one of the most visible annual expressions of Jewish American civic life in Washington. Through Project Legacy, Friedlander has built a platform that brings elected officials, faith leaders, and community figures together each year to recognize Jewish Americans whose lives reflect the breadth of that community’s contributions to the nation. “This year’s honorees reflect a deep commitment to public service, innovation, philanthropy, and the fight against hatred and intolerance,” Friedlander said.

May 17 2026

Boca Raton-Based Elliott Broidy to Receive Visionary Award for Leadership and Jewish Causes

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jewish American Heritage Month Celebration on Capitol Hill to Honor Nobel Laureate Dr. Harvey J. Alter, Philanthropist Elliott Broidy and Rabbi David Baron

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The annual Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) celebration will be held on Capitol Hill on May 19 to celebrate the enduring contributions of Jewish Americans to the United States. The event brings together members of Congress, foreign ambassadors and leaders from across the civic, business and religious communities.

This year’s luncheon will honor Nobel Prize-winning physician and researcher Dr. Harvey J. Alter with the Dr. David Nassy Award, entrepreneur and philanthropist Elliott Broidy with the Visionary Award, and Rabbi David Baron of Temple of the Arts in Beverly Hills with the Creativity in the Jewish Community Award.

Dr. Alter, who spent decades at the National Institutes of Health, received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for work that eventually led to the discovery of the Hepatitis C virus, transforming blood screening and saving millions of lives worldwide. The award he will receive is named after David Nassy, the first Jewish doctor in Philadelphia who challenged prevailing medical practices during the 1793 Yellow Fever outbreak by advocating for more humane and effective treatment methods.

“At a time when antisemitism again rears its ugly head, I am proud to represent Jewish scientists in their quest to find answers to medical, technologic, and societal issues that confront and confound humanity,” said Dr. Alter.

Mr. Broidy is being recognized for his leadership in public safety, philanthropy and efforts to combat antisemitism and extremism. Following the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel and the subsequent rise in antisemitic incidents globally, Mr. Broidy expanded his support for organizations dedicated to Holocaust remembrance, countering extremism and strengthening Jewish communal life. His philanthropic work has also included support for educational institutions, healthcare organizations and cultural initiatives in the United States and Israel.

“I am deeply moved to be recognized during Jewish American Heritage Month alongside Dr. Alter and Rabbi Baron, whose work represents the very best of Jewish American achievement and public service,” said Mr. Broidy. “This celebration is an opportunity not only to honor the contributions of Jewish Americans throughout our nation’s history, but also to reaffirm our shared responsibility to confront hatred and protect the values of tolerance, democracy and human dignity.”

Rabbi David Baron, spiritual leader of Temple of the Arts, will be receiving the Creativity in the Jewish Community Award for his contributions to Jewish cultural and religious life, Holocaust education, and public service through media, philanthropy, and international remembrance initiatives. “I am deeply honored to receive this award that celebrates the contributions of American Jews, to the spiritual, cultural and artistic growth of our nation,” said Rabbi Baron. “Our great country was founded on the biblical principles that have kept the Jewish people for millennia and form the foundation of western civilization.”

The event, organized by Project Legacy under the leadership of Ezra Friedlander, honors leaders whose lives and work reflect the enduring contributions of Jewish Americans to the fabric of this nation. The initiative traces its roots to the early 1980s, when Jewish Heritage Week was launched following discussions between Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman Emeritus of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, President Ronald Reagan and author and humanitarian Elie Wiesel. It later evolved into Jewish American Heritage Month, a month-long celebration.

“Jewish American Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary impact Jewish Americans have had on every aspect of American life,” said Friedlander. “This year’s honorees reflect a deep commitment to public service, innovation, philanthropy and the fight against hatred and intolerance.”

Malcolm Hoenlein, along with Eric J. Gertler, Executive Chairman of U.S. News and World Report will chair this year’s event.

Additional speakers and program participants will be announced in connection with the event.