Several people with Northeast ties will be honored on Sept. 10 at a gala sponsored by the Zionist Organization of America’s Greater Philadelphia District.
The event will take place at the Hilton Hotel on City Line Avenue.
Erick Stakelbeck, who grew up in Fox Chase, will be the keynote speaker and will receive the Ben Hecht Award for Outstanding Journalism.
Stakelbeck is host of The Watchman with Erick Stakelbeck on the Christian Broadcasting Network. He is a regular correspondent for CBN News, focusing on the Middle East and national security-related issues.
Stakelbeck has authored the books The Terrorist Next Door: How the Government is Deceiving You About the Islamist Threat and The Brotherhood: America’s Next Great Enemy. He is a regular contributor to Glenn Beck’s TheBlaze and guest hosts The Glenn Beck Program. He is a regular guest on the Fox News Channel, and his articles have appeared in The Wall Street Journal Europe, Weekly Standard, Washington Times, New York Post, Jerusalem Post and National Review Online.
Gene and Fran Shusman will receive the Pillars of the Community Award. Gene owned a nursing home and several Northeast pharmacies, and manufactured vitamins and herbs. He is chairman of the Philadelphia ZOA. Fran is a licensed psychologist in private practice and a former clinical associate at the Center for Cognitive Therapy at the University of Pennsylvania. She co-authored a book, Winning Roles for Career-Minded Women, with her daughter, Dr. Binnie Kafrissen.
Rabbi Jean Claude Klein, religious leader of the Congregations of Shaare Shamayim in Bustleton, and his wife Miriam will receive the Guardians of Israel Award. The rabbi is a board member of the Philadelphia ZOA. His wife teaches at Politz Hebrew Academy.
Susan and David Warner, who lead Wilmington-based Olive Tree Ministries, will receive the Friends of Zion Award.
The Zionist Organization of America is a pro-Israel educational, advocacy and outreach group. The Philadelphia-area affiliate supports Israel’s right to security and peace and warns about its enemies via public meetings, special events, a speakers bureau, advocacy missions to Washington, a “Buy Israel” campaign, literature and rallies. ••
