The Jewish Comics Experience
the 2023 JEWCIE AWARDS
The winners of the 2023 JewCie Awards are:
Artist Honoree of the Year: Asaf Hanuka
Asaf Hanuka, an Israeli comic book writer, artist, and illustrator living in Tel Aviv, was recognized for his outstanding contributions to Jewish content.
Writer Honoree of the Year: Neil Kleid
Graphic novelist Neil Kleid, based in New Jersey, received this award for his exceptional work on graphic novels such as Ninety Candles, Brownsville, and The Big Kahn.
The Macherke Award: Trina Robbins
Trina Robbins, who has been writing graphic novels, books, and comics with Jewish subjects for nearly half a century, was honored for her extensive career contributions to Jewish comics. Robbins’ work has encompassed a wide range of subjects, from the Eisner-nominated A Minyen Yidn to her graphic biography of Holocaust survivor Lily Renee, and her creation of the teenage superheroine, GoGirl!
The Macher Award: Jules Feiffer
Jules Feiffer, a Bronx-born cartoonist who won the Pulitzer Prize for editorial cartooning and is considered one of the most widely read satirists in the country, received the Macher Award for his illustrious career contributions to the field of comics.
Combatting Prejudice: Peter Kuper
This award was presented to Peter Kuper, who has demonstrated dedication to the fight against prejudice through their creative work and publications.
The winners in other categories:
- Diverse Representation: The Unfinished Corner by Dani Colman and Rachel “Tuna” Petrowicz
- Historical Narrative: The Librarian of Auschwitz: The Graphic Novel by Salva Rubio, Antonio Iturbe, Loreto Aroca
- Fictional Narrative: Hereville Trilogy by Barry Deutsch
- Autobiographical Narrative: Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant: A Memoir by Roz Chast
- Contemporary Topics: The Property by Rutu Modan
About the Awards
At the heart of the Jewish Comics Experience is the JewCie Awards, a groundbreaking ceremony dedicated to honoring the creators behind Jewish comic book narratives, themes, and characters. This event is not just an awards ceremony; it’s a testament to the diverse voices and stories that have shaped Jewish storytelling in the comic medium.
By establishing the JewCie Awards, we aim to inspire and uplift talent in the field, fostering the growth of Jewish-themed comics. This recognition encourages artists to delve into the depths of Jewish culture, creating authentic representations that contribute to a more inclusive and diverse comic landscape.
Don’t miss the grand unveiling of the JewCie Awards on November 11th, a preview night filled with excitement at the Center for Jewish History. Join us for an evening of celebration, featuring awards presented by a distinguished panel of industry judges, alongside fellow comic book creators and enthusiasts. There will be food, drink, and an exclusive sneak peek at the upcoming convention.
Tickets are available for individual purchase or in packages that include day passes to the convention and other goodies. The Center for Jewish History warmly invites all creators, industry professionals, collectors, and readers to come together and celebrate the outstanding artists and writers who have brought captivating Jewish narratives to life. Let’s make this a night to remember! Get your tickets now and be part of this historic celebration.
Selecting the Jewcies
THE CATEGORIES
- Macherke Award for Career Contributions to Jewish Comics
- Artist Honoree of the Year
This is an award to honor an artist who has created work with Jewish content: characters, themes, or stories, working within the last five years. - Writer Honoree of the Year
This is an award to honor an author who has created work with Jewish content: characters, themes, or stories, working within the last five years. - Book award in Diverse Jewish Representation
This is an award for a recent publication with Jewish content that demonstrates exemplary representation of diverse Jewish characters, narratives, or themes. - Award for Historical narratives
An award for a historically themed publication (historical fiction, memoir, or nonfiction) with Jewish themes, characters, or narratives. - Award for Autobiographical Content
An award for an autobiographical publication (graphic novel, web comic, comic strip, etc) with Jewish themes, characters, or narratives. - Award for Contemporary topics
An award for a contemporary themed publication with Jewish themes, characters, or narratives. - Award for Fictional Narratives
An award for a graphic work of fiction with Jewish themes, characters, or narratives. - Combating Prejudice Award
An award for a writer, artist, or cartoonist who has demonstrated dedication to the fight against prejudice through their creative work and publications.
And the Winners will be…
THE NOMINEES
Macherke Award
The Macherke award is a prestigious accolade in the realm of Jewish comics, presented to individuals who have made significant and noteworthy contributions to the field. Derived from the Yiddish word “macher,” meaning a person of influence or importance, the Macherke award recognizes individuals who have exerted their creative prowess and expertise to advance Jewish narratives, themes, and cultural representations within the medium of comics.
Recipients of the Macherke award have not only created impactful works that resonate with diverse audiences but have also contributed to the preservation and celebration of Jewish heritage, traditions, history, and identity through their artistic expressions.
Artist Honoree of the year
- Rutu Modan
- Chari Pere
- Typex
- Terri Liebenson
- Liana Finck
- Erez Zadok
- Jorge Miguel
- Jules Feiffer
- Asaf Hanuka
- Rachel Petrowicz
WRITER Honoree of the year
- Jules Feiffer
- Dani Colman
- Typex
- Jordan Gorfinkel
- Neil Kleid
- Dan Goldman
- Alisa Kwitney
- Asaf Hanuka
Diverse Representation
- But I Live: Three Stories of Child Survivors of the Holocaust
by Charlotte Schallié (Editor),
Barbara Yelin (Illustrator),
Gilad Seliktar (Illustrator),
Miriam Libicki (Illustrator)
[2022, New Jewish Press] - The Unfinished Corner
by Dani Colman and Rachel “Tuna” Petrowicz [2021, Vault/Wonderbound] - Shanghai Dream by Philippe Thirault and Jorge Miguel [2019, LifeDrawn/Humanoids]
- Chunky by Yehudi Mercado [2021, Katherine Tegen Books]
- Intertwined: The Last Jewish Daughter of Kaifeng by Fabrice Sapolsky , Fei Chen , Ho Seng Hui [2023, FairSquare Comics]
- Let There Be Light by Liana Finck [2022, Random House]
- Tunnels by Rutu Modan [2021, Drawn&Quarterly]
Historical Narrative
- Anne Frank’s Diary: The Graphic Adaptation by Folman [2018, Generic]
- The Koren Tanakh Graphic Novel: Esther by Jordan Gorfinkel and Yael Nathan [2023, Koren Publishers Jerusalem]
- When I Grow Up: The Lost Autobiographies of Six Yiddish Teenagers by Ken Krimstein [2021, Bloomsbury]
- Jose and the Pirate Captain Toledano by Arnon Z. Shorr and Joshua M. Edelglass [2022, Kar-Ben Publishing]
- Megilat Esther by JT Waldman [2005, JPS]
- Market Day by James Sturm [2010, Drawn & Quarterly]
- The Librarian of Auschwitz: The Graphic Novel by Salva Rubio, Antonio Iturbe, Loreto Aroca
[2023, Godwin Books] - Brownsville by Neil Kleid and Jake Allen [2006, NBM Publishing] [NBM]
Autobiographical Narrative
- Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant: A Memoir by Roz Chast [2014, Bloomsbury]
- Fair Enough (series) by Danny Lobell [2018 to present, Stand Up Comic Group]
- For Justice: The Serge and Beate Klarsfeld Story, adapted by Pascal Bresson and Sylvain Dorange [2021, Life Drawn/Humanoids]
- One of Those Days by Yehuda and Maya Devir (webcomic) [Also: 2020, Random House]
- How to Understand Israel in 60 Days or Less by Sarah Glidden [2011, Vertigo/First Edition]
- Chunky by Yehudi Mercado [2021, Katherine Tegen Books]
- Chasing Echoes by Dan Goldman and Gégê Schall [2019, Life Drawn]
- The Property by Rutu Modan [2013, Drawn & Quarterly]
- The Realist: Last Day on Earth by Asaf Hanuka [2015, Archaia]
- The Complete Maus: A Survivor’s Tale by Art Spiegelman [1996, Pantheon]
- Flying Couch: A Graphic Memoir by Amy Kurzweil [2016, Catapult]
Contemporary Topics
- The Dairy Restaurant by Ben Katchor [2020, Schocken]
- The Big Kahn by Neil Kleid and Nicolas Cinquegrani [2009, NBM]
- All the Answers by Michael Kupperman [2018, Gallery 13]
- Chunky Goes to Camp by Yehudi Mercado [2022, Katherine Tegan]
- The Property by Rutu Modan [2013, D & Q]
- Sylvie by Sylvie Kantorowitz [2021, Walker Books US]
- Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant: A Memoir by Roz Chast [2014, Bloomsbury]
- The Realist: Last Day on Earth by Asaf Hanuka [2015, Archaia]
Fictional Narrative
- Sandman #8 “The Sound of Her Wings” by Neil Gaiman, Mike Dringenberg & Malcolm Jones III [1989, DC Comics]
- Breath of Bones: A Tale of the Golem, by Steve Niles and Dave Wachter, [2014, Dark Horse Books]
- Unterzakhn by Leela Corman [2012, Schocken]
- Hereville Trilogy by Barry Deutsch [2010-2015, Amulet Books]
- We Only Kill Each Other by Stephanie Phillips and Peter Krause [2022, Dark Horse Books]
- A Bunch of Jews (and Other Stuff): A Minyen Yidn by Max B. Perlson and Trina Robbins et al [2017, Bedside Press]
- Tunnels by Rutu Modan [2021, Drawn & Quarterly]
- The Unfinished Corner by Dani Colman and Rachel “Tuna” Petrowicz [2021, Vault/Wonderbound]
Combating Prejudice
- Riad Sattouf
- James Sturm
- Neal Adams, Rafael Medoff, Craig Yoe
- Art Spiegelman
- Peter Kuper
- E. Lockhart
- G. Willow Wilson
- Ronald Wimberly