By Reporter staff

The Reporter won two 2025 Simon Rockower Awards for Excellence in Jewish Journalism. Bill Simons won second place in the Excellence in Writing about Sports category for his article “The winningest Jewish pitcher of all-time: Kenny Holtzman,” about which the judges said, “Excellent article. Easy to read. Well researched.” Simons also won honorable mention in that category for his “My dinner with Abel: Jewish Olympian remembered,” about which the judges said, “Well written and very informative.”
“I’m thrilled that Bill won two awards for his excellent sports columns,” said Rabbi Rachel Esserman, executive editor of The Reporter. “It’s wonderful that we can offer readers articles about sports that they can’t find in other publications. Bill finds interesting people to write about in a way that even non-sports fans can enjoy. His writing is a wonderful addition to The Reporter.”
“I am a big fan of local journalism and Jewish media, so I take pride in being a columnist on the great Reporter team,” Simons said. “As executive editor, Rabbi Esserman has given me encouragement and support to write about diverse aspects of the Diaspora, encompassing sports, politics and culture. And Layout Editor Diana Sochor does an excellent job proofing my text and highlighting it through placement.”
Simons added. “It is an honor to be recognized twice in 2025 by the American Jewish Press Association, one of the most preeminent voices in media. I am very pleased to receive second place for Excellence in Writing about Sports for my article on ‘The Winningest Jewish Pitcher of All-Time: Kenny Holtzman.’ I interviewed and observed Kenny both in the U.S. and in Israel, and hope that my writing contributes to bringing his baseball accomplishments the wider recognition they merit. It was frosting on the cake to get honorable mention in the same category for my piece on “My Dinner with Abel: Jewish Olympian Remembered.” A medalist in the 1912 Olympics, Abel Kiviat, a middle-distance runner, has largely been forgotten by history, and it gave me satisfaction to relate his story, including my dinner with him, to a new generation.”
Simons noted that he hopes his writing does more than just bring notice to little remembered sports figures. “My sports writing strives for accessibility and significance even to non-sports fans,” he said. “By providing historical and sociological context, I endeavor to use sport as a means of illuminating Jewish American culture.”