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April 25, 2013 1:27 pm
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Algemeiner Unveils ‘JEWISH 100’ List at Star Studded Gala (PHOTOS)

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Algemeiner 40th Anniversary Honorees, Neil and Sharon Book. Photo: Sarah Rogers.

The Algemeiner unveiled its first annual ‘JEWISH 100’ list celebrating the “top 100 people positively influencing Jewish life” at its 40th anniversary gala Tuesday night in Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

The star-studded event, which was hosted by Fox News’s Heather Nauert, featured Elie Wiesel, The Journal’s Advisory Board Chairman, as the keynote speaker. Other attendees included film producer Harvey Weinstein, Yuri Foreman, Ronald Lauder, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Alan Dershowitz, William Kristol, Ron Agam and many notable political figures and Jewish leaders.

The festive evening commenced with the singing of the Star Spangled Banner by none other than Tony Orlando. Mr. Orlando noted that he had never sung the anthem at an official event before. “I’ve turned down Tommy Lasorda and the Dodgers but I couldn’t turn down The Algemeiner,” the veteran crooner said, before launching into a rousing rendition of the national anthem.

Other speakers during the night were Ron Prosor, Israel’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Izzy Ezagui, a ‘JEWISH 100’ honoree who was the first Israeli soldier to return to active service after losing an arm in battle, Mr. Weinstein, who presented Mr. Wiesel with The Algemeiner ‘Warrior for Truth’ Award, and philanthropists Neil and Sharon Book, who were the evening’s honorees. The event was chaired by the honorees’ proud parents Bob and Amy Book.

“The evening was electric” said Algemeiner Editor-in-Chief Dovid Efune, “the diversity of the guests in attendance was a strong reflection of the breadth of our growing readership.”

“I was deeply moved by the confluence of notable and powerful storytellers coming together at our Algemeiner 40th Gala — Harvey Weinstein, Elie Wiesel and the Algemeiner — all courageous voices dedicated to helping people look at the world in a new way,” said Algemeiner publisher Simon Jacobson.

Representing a varied cross spectrum of Jewish life, politicians and rabbis mixed with artists and athletes, in what was an occasion to both celebrate and be celebrated. Among the guests in attendance were many of the ‘JEWISH 100’ awardees themselves, including Czech Ambassador to the United States Petr Gandalovič who represented Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas, Malcolm Hoenlein, Abraham Foxman, Arthur Schneier and American Jewish World Service CEO, Ruth Messinger.

The ‘JEWISH 100’ acceptance toast was delivered by Israel’s Consul General in New York Ido Aharoni.

Founded in 1972 as a Yiddish broadsheet by veteran journalist Gershon Jacobson, The Algemeiner today publishes a weekly newspaper in English and runs this ever popular website.

For the full ‘JEWISH 100’ list, click here.

For the Algemeiner’s introduction to the ‘JEWISH 100’ list, please click here.

To view the Algemeiner’s ‘JEWISH 100’ promo, click here.

From left: Algemeiner Editor Dovid Efune, film producer Harvey Weinstein, Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel and Algemeiner Publisher Simon Jacobson. Photo: Sarah Rogers.

Dovid and Mushkee Efune with event honorees Neil and Sharon Book. Photo: Sarah Rogers.

From left: Algemeiner Editor Dovid Efune, Philanthopist Ronald Lauder and Algemeiner publisher Simon Jacobson. Photo: Sarah Rogers.

Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations Ron Prosor. Photo: Sarah Rogers.

Algemeiner honorees Neil and Sharon Book. Photo: Sarah Rogers.

Harvey Weinstein addressing the guests. Photo: Sarah Rogers.

Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel. Photo: Sarah Rogers.

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