More than 200 people attended the gala honoring famed litigator Roberta Kaplan, award-winning chef Michael Solomonov, philanthropic entrepreneur Josh Tanenbaum and assiduous politician Carolyn Maloney. We also gave a warm welcome to our new editor-in-chief, Jodi Rudoren, as we toasted to The Forward’s bright future as an all-digital publication. 

The evening was joyous and positive, but it also had serious undertones. Roberta gave an impassioned speech about the rise of anti-Semitism, sharing the scary and infuriating story of the threats she’s gotten while working to sue the neo-Nazis, white supremacists and hate groups responsible for the August 2017 violence in Charlottesville. 

Carolyn stressed the importance of the Never Again Education Act, the bill she wrote that will provide teachers with federal funding to educate students on the Holocaust accurately and effectively, to ensure that history is never repeated. 

Michael, who inspired the evening’s delicious Mediterranean menu, shared with the crowd how the death of his brother encouraged him to bring Israeli soul to America with his cooking. He persevered following his family tragedy and recovery from substance abuse, becoming a multiple-time James Beard Award-winning chef with several acclaimed restaurants in Philadelphia. 

Just 27 years old, Josh stood before the crowd and explained how he embraces tikkun olam,  the Hebrew phrase for “repairing the world,” kindness and working for the greater good, a concept he learned from his parents. He said he worries that young Jews are increasingly abandoning their religion, and he notes how critical The Forward is in engaging them.

Several guests provided inspiration themselves, sharing with everyone profound stories of the admirable leaders in their lives. 

See what we're all about here. And click below to check out exciting highlights from the gala.