By the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, Newsmax’s Chris Ruddy, and Aish CEO Steven Burg
Jerusalem, U.S. Independence Day 2025 — On America’s Independence Day in Jerusalem, against the backdrop of Jerusalem’s Old City, U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee received one of the most meaningful honors of his career: the Morris Katz 2025 Legacy Award. The award presentation took place just moments before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s keynote address, underscoring the significance of the occasion.
The honor was conferred by a distinguished coalition of leaders and institutions: the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, Newsmax Founder Chris Ruddy, and Aish HaTorah CEO Steven Burg
and Harvard professor and attorney Alan Dershowitz. The award was formally signed by Malcolm Hoenlein, Duvi Honig, and the Morris Katz Foundation.
The Artist Who Painted American History
The award honors the legacy of Morris Katz, a Holocaust survivor and twice Guinness-certified world record holder, whose art became a living tribute to freedom. After surviving the horrors of the concentration camps, Katz immigrated to America and used his brush to tell a story of resilience and gratitude.
Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Katz (www.MorrisKatz.org) undertook an extraordinary project: to paint portraits of every U.S. president. For six years, he meticulously created each portrait in the old masters style, incorporating the American flag with the precise number of stars corresponding to the president’s era.
It remains the only complete U.S. presidential collection painted by a single artist. Beyond artistic mastery, the project symbolized Katz’s deep appreciation for American democracy, his vow of “Never Again” to the Holocaust, and his enduring support for Israel.
Today, the collection which is recognized as a part of U.S. History on an institutional level is valued at more than $250 million and has reached millions worldwide through exhibitions and postcards. Yet its true value lies in its message: a reminder of the responsibilities of leadership, the fragility of freedom, and the enduring link between America and Israel.
Recognizing Leaders Who Carry His Message
The Morris Katz Legacy Award is presented only to leaders who embody Katz’s values and ensure his message lives on. Past honorees include:
The 2025 Morris Katz Legacy award was dedicated to Ambassador Mike Huckabee in recognition of his leadership in combating antisemitism, his unwavering support for Israel, and his consistent promotion of American patriotism. Huckabee has also been outspoken in urging decisive action against Iran’s nuclear program. His public tweet appealing directly to President Donald Trump which was retweeted by the White House was engraved in the award, amplifying his call to carry on the artist message at the highest level.
A Symbolic July 4th in Jerusalem
The presentation, coming just before Prime Minister Netanyahu’s keynote, highlighted the alignment of American and Israeli values of democracy and strength.
“The Morris Katz 2025 Legacy Award is more than an honor,” said Duvi Honig. “It is a bridge between history and the future. Katz painted America’s story onto canvas, and leaders like Ambassador Huckabee ensure that story continues to inspire.”
Ambassador Huckabee’s recognition connected the historical brushstrokes of Katz’s presidential portraits to today’s urgent challenges — ensuring that the lessons of the Holocaust, the value of American democracy, and the defense of Israel remain central in global leadership.
A Living Message for Generations
Each year, the U.S. Department of Education distributes a Presidents’ Day curriculum to schools across America, a tradition that echoes the themes of Katz’s work. His presidential series stands as both art and education — a visual reminder of what America stands for.
As Ambassador Huckabee accepted the Morris Katz 2025 Legacy Award prior to Netanyahu’s keynote address he stated, "This moment symbolized the continuum of history: from a Holocaust survivor’s vow of “Never Again” to being recognized as a today’s leader carrying the artist message forward is truly humbling"
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