Wire

Roberta Kaplan and Audrey Strauss receive George A. Katz Torch of Learning Award

Presented by American Friends of the Hebrew University, it recognizes their leadership, scholarship and dedication to the betterment of humanity.

Roberta (“Robbie”) Kaplan and Audrey Strauss, recipients of the 53rd Annual George A. Katz Torch of Learning Award (TOL), presented by American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU) at Cipriani on May 18, 2023. Credit: Hechler Photography.
Roberta (“Robbie”) Kaplan and Audrey Strauss, recipients of the 53rd Annual George A. Katz Torch of Learning Award (TOL), presented by American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU) at Cipriani on May 18, 2023. Credit: Hechler Photography.

Roberta Kaplan and Audrey Strauss received the 53rd annual George A. Katz Torch of Learning Award (TOL), presented by American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU) at Cipriani on May 18.

At the event, AFHU president Pamela Emmerich said: “These two brilliant women, whose careers are the stuff of which legends are made, are most deserving recipients of the Torch of Learning Award, named in memory of the late George Katz, founding partner of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. It honors outstanding lawyers who have made a significant impact in the legal profession and in the broader community. Both of our distinguished honorees meet that requirement in spades.”

Roberta (“Robbie”) Kaplan is the founding partner of Kaplan Hecker & Fink LLP, which she founded to build what she calls a “new-fashioned, old-fashioned” law firm that combines a cutting-edge civil and criminal litigation practice with a groundbreaking commitment to using the courts to serve the public interest. To that end, she has been in the news recently for the successful representation of E. Jean Carroll. Before that, her victory in the landmark Windsor case helped pave the way for marriage equality in the United States. Robbie has taken on the white supremacists who attended the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Va., and co-founded the Times Up Legal Defense Fund.

Dahlia Lithwick, lawyer, New York Times bestselling author, journalist, and senior editor at Slate presented the award to Kaplan.

“The State of Israel is in the midst of an unprecedented crisis concerning the independence of its court system,” said Kaplan. “In our world today where democracy seems to be in danger in so many different places and in so many ways, I believe it is even more important for us to support institutions like the Hebrew University of Jerusalem that help to foster the foundations of Israeli democracy. I’m so honored to be receiving this award.”

Audrey Strauss,senior counsel of Fried Frank, represents clients in white-collar criminal defense and regulatory matters. Prior to rejoining Fried Frank in 2022, Audrey served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, where she oversaw all criminal and civil cases brought on behalf of the United States. These include taking on Roy Cohn and the Gambino family.

Geoffrey S. Berman, partner of Fried Frank and former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, presented the award to Strauss.

“It is a profound honor to receive this year’s Torch of Learning Award, along with my co-recipient Robbie Kaplan, joining the ranks of many distinguished past awardees,” said Strauss. “I am proud to continue to support American Friends of the Hebrew University and HU’s Faculty of Law in its efforts to educate and champion outstanding future global leaders and innovators, among other important work.”

Celebrating its 53rd year, the award raises awareness and important support for the Hebrew University Faculty of Law and the mission of its American Friends.

About & contact The Publisher
About the Hebrew University of Jerusalem: This year marks 100 years of excellence in research, education and innovation at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel’s premier institution of higher learning and research. The university is dedicated to advancing knowledge, fostering leadership and promoting diversity, serving more than 23,000 students from 80-plus countries. As home to founder Albert Einstein’s archives, the University produces nearly 40% of Israel’s civilian scientific research and has received over 11,000 patents. Faculty and alumni of the Hebrew University have won eight Nobel Prizes and a Fields Medal and continue to shape the future. For more information about Hebrew University’s academic programs, research and achievements, click here.
About American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU): American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU) is a national, not-for-profit organization based in the United States. AFHU is headquartered in New York and has seven regional offices working in close partnership with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. AFHU provides supporters, Hebrew University alumni and the public with stimulating programs and events, and organizes missions to Israel. For the past century, the organization’s activities have supported scholarly and scientific achievement at HU, created scholarships, funded new facilities and assisted the University’s efforts to recruit outstanding new faculty. For more information, click here. Follow us on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter X | Instagram | YouTube.
Releases published on the JNS Wire are communicated and paid for by third parties. Jewish News Syndicate, and any of its distribution partners, take zero responsibility for the accuracy of any content published in any press release. All the statements, opinions, figures in text or multimedia including photos or videos included in each release are presented solely by the sponsoring organization, and in no way reflect the views or recommendation of Jewish News Syndicate or any of its partners. If you believe any of the content in a release published on JNS Wire is offensive or abusive, please report a release.
Comments