Reggie Jackson and Fran Kaplan were granted the Robert H. Friebert Social Justice Award for their shared efforts to fight discrimination and injustice, with special recognition of Deborah Carter Berkson, z”l.
The recognition took place at the Jewish Community Relations Council 2018 Annual Meeting on June 21.
Kaplan, a white Jewish woman, and Jackson, who is black, were both involved in the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. and in the recent Jewish Museum Milwaukee exhibit, “Allied in the Fight: Jews, Blacks, and the Struggle for Civil Rights.”
At Nurturing Diversity Partners, the organization they co-founded, the two provide education, training and consulting services that foster diversity, inclusion and equity within institutions and the society at large. Berkson, who died in February, is remembered as a tireless, behind-the-scenes advocate on social justice issues. Her husband, Rabbi Marc Berkson, is spiritual leader of Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun, where Robert Friebert, z”l was a dedicated member.