Jennifer Gorovitz, former CEO of the San Francisco-based Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund (JCF), and Ayala Katz, who became an outspoken leader for LGBT equality in Israel following the murder of her gay son, Nir, have been named the first recipients of Keshet’s new Landres Courage for Dignity Award. Nir was one of two Israelis murdered in a shooting at the Bar Noar, a Tel Aviv center for LGBT youth, where he volunteered as a counselor.

Keshet is the nation’s largest organization working for LGBT equality and inclusion in all areas of Jewish life. Former Keshet Board member Shawn Landres created the award to recognize individuals who display public courage as allies to support the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people or others whose dignity is at stake.