On Thursday, May 11, during the annual Jewish Community Relations Council Tzedek Awards at the Clayton Plaza Hotel, Maharat Rori Picker Neiss, the organization’s executive director, was surprised with a proclamation from U.S. Representative Cori Bush, D-Missouri, for her trailblazing efforts in the areas of social justice, LGBTQ+ advocacy and interfaith relations

This prestigious honor was presented to her on stage by Outreach Director for Bush’s office, Danielle Spradley.’

Neiss offered a heart-warming “thank you” speech that included her heartbreak over the recent passing of two pieces of anti-trans legislation.