Dear Community,
I’m thrilled to share that our recent storytelling project, Hyphen: Jewish Stories in Our Own Words received a Wilbur Award from the Religious Communicators Council (RCC), which recognizes the most outstanding work in the communication of religious issues, values, and themes in secular media.
I had the honor to attend the award ceremony in Cincinnati, where the RCC met for its annual conference. It was fascinating to speak with representatives of different faith groups about what “Hyphen” meant to them.
The Wilbur Awards have been presented annually since 1949 and past winners include Morgan Freeman, Oprah Winfrey as well as media outlets such as the New York Times and PBS, so it’s been a true honor to see Be’chol Lashon’s graphic novel anthology to be acknowledged with this prestigious award.
In celebration,
Julian
Julian Voloj, BL Executive Director (left), with Brad Pomerance, RCC Board Member (right), holding Hyphen’s Wilbur Award
What is the Wilbur Award?
“The Wilbur Awards recognize excellence in the secular or non-religious media in communicating about faith and religion – with fairness and professionalism, honesty and respect.
In selecting our Wilbur Honorees, our judges evaluate content and creativity, execution and results, but the ultimate criterion is excellence in communication about faith and religion. Each entry in the Wilbur Awards is judged by three experienced media professionals.
We congratulate Be’chol Lashon for being honored with a Wilbur, the top honor provided by the Religion Communicators Council. It is reserved for the most outstanding entries each year.”
Brad Pomerance, Host and Executive Vice President of JLTV, Religion Communicators Council Board Member
By receiving a Wilbur Award, Hyphen now reaches even border audiences across faith and communities.
“I was already moved emotionally by the first story. It’s important and meaningful to include as many of these diverse stories as possible, and centering Diaspora voices to build a wider net of understanding amongst Jewish perspectives.
I felt more in touch with my own story and my own struggles in a multihyphenate world by reading these.
Bechol Lashon brings a wide perspective to the Religion Communicators Council (RCC), and our Wilbur Awards in particular, “The Wilbur Awards recognize excellence in the communication of religious issues, values, and themes in public secular media, and Hyphen is the special kind of project that transcends faith and ethnicity by diving right into the myriad ways those are practiced.”
Wesley Wolfbear Pinkham, Creative Director of Friends Committee on National Legislation Lobby With Quakers, Religion Communications Council Board Member
Participants of the 2026 Convention of the Religious Communicators Council at the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati, OH
What the judges had to say…
“I know I’m judging the writing and not the design, but I have to say that I love the cover art! It communicates so well that there is a story of shared experiences. I love that the writing is deeply personal, directly from individuals telling their own stories.”
“The diversity included is superb, giving insight into a broad range of true stories told in authentic voices; it’s a great model of “lived-faith” storytelling.”
“Interesting and unique concept! The Stories are well-matched to the comic artist, so each differing tone and style fits with the topic/story. Overall, the design and artwork are stunning – rich, varied and compelling. The artwork adds and intensifies the emotional impact through visual witness as well as text.”
2026 Wilbur Award recipients after receiving the honor
