President Barack Obama intends to honor a slew of influential individuals in the humanities. Although two names stick out as having had a profound influence on Israel and the Jewish world.
For starters, the President will honor author and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, who has penned a number of influential books on the subject and helps to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive. Among dozens of other important contributions, Wiesel recently helped develop a new center for Judaic studies at Georgetown University. According to the White House:
“Elie Wiesel. For his unwavering commitment to preserving the memory of the Holocaust and its victims. He has fostered compassion and understanding through his writing, his leadership, and his relentless advocacy for human rights.”
Further, the White House will also honor historian David Levering Lewis, author of Prisoners of Honor: The Dreyfus Affair. The Dreyfus Affair has been used as a prime example of anti-Semitism in Europe, where a French soldier was accused of treason due to his Jewish religion. According to the White House:
“David Levering Lewis. For his insightful examinations of W. E. B. Du Bois, the Dreyfus Affair, and early Islamic-Christian relations in Europe, which have enriched our understanding of the figures and forces that shaped world history.”
