(Courtesy of OJCC) The Morris Katz Foundation, together with the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, is proud to announce its 2024 Morris Katz Award Recipient. This prestigious award, named after the prolific artist Morris Katz, honors individuals who have made significant contributions to promoting education, combating antisemitism and fostering a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the United States.
On October 1, 1985, Morris Katz made history by breaking Pablo Picasso’s record as the world’s most prolific artist at the Art Students League in New York City. This achievement was a testament to Morris Katz’s remarkable talent and dedication to his craft. As a Holocaust survivor, Morris was deeply grateful to the United States for providing him with a safe haven and the opportunity to pursue his passion for art. In a show of his gratitude, he embarked on his most cherished project, the President Collection. Over the course of six years, Morris painted each US president in the “Old Master” style, spending an average of 200 hours on each portrait. He also meticulously included the US flag with the exact number of stars per state for each president. The collection gained worldwide popularity, with millions of postcards being sold to collectors. In 1965, Morris was commissioned by the Vatican to paint a portrait of Pope Paul VI, which sold 3 million copies worldwide.
Congressman Josh Gottheimer has been selected as the 2024 Morris Katz Award Recipient. His tireless efforts in introducing The Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons (HEAL) Act have not gone unnoticed, and this award is a testament to his dedication and commitment to educating the next generation about the horrors of the Holocaust and the importance of combating antisemitism. In addition to recognizing Congressman Josh Gottheimer for his pivotal role in introducing the HEAL Act, the award also acknowledges his leadership in promoting bipartisanship. Congressman Gottheimer recently led a campaign for a bipartisan letter urging the State Department to call on UN and UNRWA officials to resign, thereby demonstrating his commitment to holding institutions accountable for promoting antisemitism and hate.
The Morris Katz Award, presented by the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce and the Morris Katz Foundation, holds immense significance. It reflects the artist’s message of appreciation to our great country while educating the next generation about the importance of remembering the atrocities of the Holocaust and standing up against antisemitism. Morris Katz, as a Holocaust survivor and refugee, dedicated his life’s work to honoring the United States through his art. Congressman Josh Gottheimer embodies the same spirit of patriotism and appreciation, making him a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.
Previous recipients of the Morris Katz Award include Congressman Chris Smith, who was honored for introducing legislation creating a position for an ambassador and envoy for the problem of antisemitism. This important initiative, aimed at combating antisemitism globally, reflects the shared values of the award’s namesake, Morris Katz.
The Actual Awards Ceremony for Congressman Josh Gottheimer will be held for VIPs at an exclusive black-tie event. Government officials, business leaders, mayors, senators, governors, assembly members and community leaders will be in attendance to celebrate and honor Congressman Gottheimer for his remarkable contributions to promoting education and combating antisemitism. The event serves as a reminder of the importance of coming together as a community to recognize and appreciate those who are making a positive impact in our society.
