RABBI ROBERT MARX TO RECEIVE 2006 BRIDGEBUILDER AWARD AT ‘JUSTSTORIES’ STORYTELLING FESTIVAL
ON APRIL 23 AT TECHNY, IL

Winnetka, IL. 2.3.06. -- Long-time social activist Rabbi Robert J. Marx is the recipient of the 2006 BridgeBuilder Award from the Chicago Province of the Society of the Divine Word and the Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs. This award is given to individuals who, in their work and lives, have fostered relationships of understanding and cooperation among diverse racial, religious, and economic groups of people. This award will be given to Rabbi Marx during a special Sunday Brunch on April 23, 2006 during the JustStories Storytelling Festival at Techny, IL.

A fearless advocate for justice, Rabbi Marx marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Alabama, in Chicago, and, indeed, in the northern suburbs. Rabbi Marx founded, directed, and served as the first president of the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs. He has been the president of the Inter-Religious Council on Urban Affairs, the chairman of the Chicago Academy of Religion and Mental Health, the honorary chairman of the Illinois Committee to abolish Capital Punishment, and officer and founder of the Chicago Conference on Religion and Race. Since its creation, he has been a board member of the Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities. He served as the Jewish chairman of Chicago's Black-Jewish Dialogue. Rabbi Marx was a member of the board of the National Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice and was chairman of its education committee. He is cofounder of the Chicago Interfaith Committee on Worker Issues and serves on its executive committee. Many years ago Rabbi Marx convened a self-help group, Parents Who Have Lost a Child, and he continues to help parents who have faced this tragic loss. He is the founder and Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Hakafa in Glencoe, IL.

In announcing Rabbi Marx as the recipient of the BridgeBuilder Award, the co-directors of the 2006 JustStories Storytelling Festival Gail Schechter and Father Derek Simons S.V.D. said:

“It is an honor that Rabbi Marx will be with us on April 23 to receive the BridgeBuilder Award. He is so loved by so many diverse people who have been touched by his lifetime work of social action and his continuing 'bridgebuilding' vision. We have asked this challenging Rabbi who served Chicago’s northern suburbs for so many years to join us on April 23 to speak to the mission of handing on the flame of social justice to the next generation.”

The award brunch is part of a day-long Storytelling Festival on Sunday April 23. The day's events are intended as a reminder that we need each other in today’s world to build bridges of respect and hope. Information about the BridgeBuilder Award Brunch and the day-long JustStories Storytelling on Sunday April 23, 2006 can be found at: www.racebridges.net/juststories or call Chris Smith at 847-501-3278 x501

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PREVIOUS BRIDGEBUILDER AWARD WINNERS

2004-2005 BridgeBuilder Award
2003-2004 BridgeBuilder Award