Gottheimer wins 2024 Morris Katz Award for bipartisan work on HEAL Act
Recognized for his steadfast work combating antisemitism and strengthening Holocaust memorial education
TEANECK, NJ (Bergen County) — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) was recognized with the 2024 Morris Katz Award by the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce.
The award, named for prolific artist and Holocaust survivor Morris Katz, highlighted Gottheimer’s work to introduce and advance the bipartisan Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons (HEAL) Act.
The bipartisan HEAL Act will:
- Direct the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum to conduct a study on Holocaust education efforts in public schools nationwide; this will help
- Determine which states and school districts require or do not require Holocaust education in their curriculum;
- Determine which states and school districts offer optional Holocaust education;
- Identify the standards and requirements schools mandate on this Holocaust education;
- Identify the types and quality of instructional materials used to teach;
- Identify the approaches used by schools to assess what students learn; and
- Report the results of the study to Congress.
Gottheimer introduced the bipartisan HEAL Act with Representatives Kathy Manning (NC-6), Michael McCaul (TX-10), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), Co-Chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus.
“I’m honored to receive the 2024 Morris Katz Award and contribute, in a small way, to the great legacy of its namesake, Morris Katz,” said Gottheimer, the only Jewish member of the New Jersey Congressional Delegation. “I will always stand up to bigotry in all forms and fight hard to protect our core Jersey value of freedom: freedom from fear, freedom from hate, and freedom to worship, live, and learn however you so choose.”
Morris Katz, the namesake of the award, was known as a trailblazing artist. In 1985, he broke Pablo Picasso’s record as the world’s most prolific artist. His most famous work, the Presidential Collection, portrayed each president with a historically accurate flag behind them, reflecting the number of states in the country when they led. His artwork celebrates his Jewish heritage and the incredible history of the United States.
Gottheimer was joined at today’s event by Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce President Duvi Honig, New Jersey Assemblyman Alexander “Avi” Schnall, Bergen County Commissioner Tracy Zur, Teaneck Deputy Mayor Elie Katz, Teaneck Councilwoman Hillary Goldberg, Teaneck Councilman Mark Schwartz, Englewood Councilwoman Lisa Wysotski, and New York Association of Korean American Business President Joseph Yoo.
