AJHS AND EMMA LAZARUS

The American Jewish Historical Society provides access to more than 25 million documents and 50,000 books, photographs, art and artifacts that reflect the history of the Jewish presence in the United States from 1654 to the present. Founded in 1892, AJHS is the oldest ethnic historical organization in the nation. It is one of five partner organizations at The Center for Jewish History in Manhattan and has a branch at the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS) in Boston.

Among its treasures is the original manuscript notebook of Emma Lazarus’ poetry including her handwritten draft of “The New Colossus” which she penned for an 1883 auction to help fund the pedestal for the Statue of Liberty. Lazarus (1849 – 1887) was a strong supporter of Jewish immigrants’ rights. The Emma Lazarus collection at AJHS includes correspondence, articles, the notebook of her poetry, and published copies of her poems. “The New Colossus” was read at the Statue of Liberty’s dedication on October 28, 1886, and engraved on the pedestal in 1903.

Every year, the American Jewish Historical Society presents the Emma Lazarus Statue of Liberty Award to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to strengthening the American Jewish community.

Emma lazarus statue of liberty laureates

2011 Ralph Lowenstein/Machal
2010 Seth Lipsky
2009 Kenneth J. Bialkin
2008 Sidney Lapidus
2007 George P. Shultz
2005 Honorable Edward I. Koch
2003 Mortimer B. Zuckerman
2002 Elie Wiesel
2001 Amb. Felix G. Rohatyn

2000 Sanford I. Weill
1999 Henry Kissinger
1998 Beverly Sills
1996 Aaron Feuerstein
1994 Sylvia Hassenfeld
1989 Edgar M. Bronfman
1987 Armand Hammer
1986 Abram L. Sachar

 

THE EVENT back to top

The Trustees and Dinner Committee of the American Jewish Historical Society cordially invite you to the 2012 Emma Lazarus Statue of Liberty Award Dinner honoring THE MONUMENTS MEN. These men and women served in the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives (MFAA) section of the Allied Forces during World War II, preserving and safeguarding civilization’s artistic and cultural treasures from armed conflict and Nazi theft.

The Center for Jewish History

Monday, December 10, 2012
15 West 16 Street, New York City

Special Remarks from Susan Eisenhower and Robert M. Edsel

Cocktail Reception: 6:00PM
Program & Dinner:  7:00PM

Business Attire
Dietary Laws Observed

 

JOIN US back to top

Count me in to support the American Jewish Historical Society!

 

AWARDS back to top

The Emma Lazarus Award - Honoring Harry Ettlinger (b. 1926)

Harry Ettlinger is one of the last surviving Monuments Men who recovered the famed stained glass windows of the Strasbourg Cathedral, along with more than 900 artistic treasures.

The Legacy Award - Colonel Seymour Pomrenze (1916-2011)

Accepted by Jay Pomrenze in honor of his father, who supervised the restoration effort at the Offenbach Depot, where the Germans stored more than 3 million Jewish works slated for destruction. Seymour’s papers now reside in the Archives of the American Jewish Historical Society.

 

WHO WE ARE back to top

Officers and Board of Trustees

 

CONTACT back to top

American Jewish Historical Society

15 West 16th Street
New York, New York 10011

Deborah Grossman
212-294-6166
dgrossman@ajhs.org

Copyright © AJHS all rights reserved.