The California News Publishers Association has recognized J. with seven honors in its annual California Journalism Awards.
The contest recognizes excellence in reporting from news outlets of all sizes, representing “some of the strongest work produced in newsrooms across the state” and highlighting “the depth, creativity and impact of California journalism at its best,” according to organizers.
The CNPA recognized J. in its division for wildfire coverage, religion and faith writing, photography, coverage of local government and more.
Contributing editor Alix Wall won second place in the Enterprise News Story or Series category for “Letters capture a Bay Area family’s generational discord over Israel.”
Reporter Niva Ashkenazi won third place in Religion and Faith Writing for “Rabbis who took psychedelics for study describe ‘profound,’ spiritual experiences” and fourth place in the Feature Story category for “How Humboldt’s campus protests became a social minefield for Jews.”
Staff photographer Aaron Levy-Wolins won fourth place in the News Photo category for his image of San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie receiving an interfaith blessing on the eve of his inauguration.
Senior reporter Emma Goss won fifth place in Wildfire Feature Coverage for “With wildfires untamed, anguished L.A. communities carry on with Jewish life.”
Former news editor Gabe Stutman won fifth place in Coverage of Local Government for “Jewish orgs condemn Richmond mayor’s ‘conspiracy’ posts on Bondi massacre.”
Associate editor David A.M. Wilensky won fifth place in Writing for “Tylenol didn’t make me autistic — but autism made me a journalist.”
“I am incredibly proud of J.’s editorial team and the work we are doing,” CEO Jo Ellen Green Kaiser said. “These awards show that our work is recognized not only within the Jewish world, but won out against stiff competition from our colleagues at top news organizations across the state.”
J. competed in Division 5 of the competition, which recognizes work done at weekly newspapers with a print circulation of 11,001-25,000 and/or 300,000-399,000 monthly unique visitors. The awards recognized work produced in 2025. Here is the full list of winners.