On Oct. 25, The Algemeiner – identified by CNBC as “the fastest-growing Jewish newspaper in the U.S.” – hosts its 10th annual J100 Gala, honoring actor Dean Cain, politician Natan Sharansky and journalist Irit Tratt at the Capitale (130 Bowery) in Manhattan. The gala marks the J100 List of the top 100 individuals influencing Jewish life in a beneficial way, referred to as the Jewish answer to Time100. With the Hamas attack on Israel and Israel’s declaration of war – which have resulted thus far in more than 4,000 Israeli and Palestinian deaths, 30 Americans killed; thousands injured; and the kidnapping of 199 individuals – The Algemeiner’s reporting and this year’s gala take on a new urgency, said one of its co-chairs.
“The Algemeiner’s coverage is more essential than ever today,” said Dovid Efune, a veteran journalist of four Gaza wars, who has interviewed numerous members of the Israeli government, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “For every rocket fired into Israeli territory, mistruths are spread on social media by Hamas and their allies to millions of gullible do-gooders. Press are often intimidated. In Gaza, their lives are at risk if their reporting doesn’t fall in line with Hamas propaganda. The Gaza Health Ministry is controlled by Hamas and therefore not a reliable source of information. At times like these, accuracy and precision are vital. The Algemeiner’s coverage is among the most reliable there is from the region.“
At the gala, Cain, an American actor best known for his role as Superman on the TV series “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” will be recognized for his outspoken support for Israel. Sharansky – imprisoned by the Soviets as a refusenik for nine years, later becoming an Israeli politician – will be honored for his work as a human rights activist and political author. And Tratt, a journalist and advocate, will be recognized for her coverage of Israel and the Middle East.
Dana Arschin, Emmy Award-winning TV journalist, is the emcee. Publisher Simon Jacobson joins Dovid and Mushka Efune as co-chairs. Bernard-Henri Lévy is again serving as honorary chairman.
Past honorees and J100 lists have included Sacha Baron Cohen, Warren Buffett, Gal Gadot, Jerry Hall, Larry King, Ben Kingsley, Robert Kraft, Meghan McCain, Debra Messing, Ambassador of Israel to the U.N. Gilad Erdan, Nina Rennert Davidson, Melissa Rivers, Adam Sandler, Sharon Stone, Elie Wiesel and William, Prince of Wales.
Now celebrating its 51st anniversary, The Algemeiner is a global newspaper published online and in print, covering the Middle East, Israel and matters of Jewish interest around the world.
For more, visit www.ajgala.com.
