The Dayton Jewish Observer received three Simon Rockower Awards for Excellence in Jewish Journalism at the American Jewish Press Association’s annual conference in Pittsburgh, June 23.

Observer Editor and Publisher Marshall Weiss received the first-place award for excellence in news reporting by monthly newspapers and magazines for his coverage of neo-Nazi hate activities in Springfield in the September 2024 Observer. The award brings the number of first-place Rockowers to 12 for The Observer since the Jewish Federation established the monthly publication in 1996, and the 10th for Weiss.

He also received the second-place award for excellence in writing about politics/government by monthly newspapers and magazines for an article in the March 2024 issue about the Department of Defense’s new procedures for religious freedom complaints.

Observer freelance writer Talia Doninger received honorable mention for excellence in feature writing by monthly newspapers and magazines for her article in the November 2024 Observer about a Beth Abraham Synagogue religious school program in which local Native Americans visited the students and shared their storytelling traditions.

A judge commented on Doninger’s piece, “It can be difficult for small outlets to compete with big ones, but good stories are everywhere. This publication and writer win by recognizing and telling this local event that says something about all of human history and how we’re all connected. Great stuff.”

AJPA is the professional association of English language Jewish media in the United States and Canada. The annual competition honors work published over the previous year.