Rep. Elise Stefanik accepted the World Jewish Congress’ Theodor Herzl Award from Ronald Lauder at the Museum of Modern Art in Manhattan on Nov. 10, 2025. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Stefanik described her fight against antisemitism in Congress and on college campuses, recalling her viral 2023 hearing with the presidents of Harvard, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania.
"Does calling for the genocide of Jews violate your university's code of conduct?" she recalled asking what she said was a moral question, not a political one. "I expected them to say ‘yes.’ But one after another after another said, ‘it depends on the context.’ And the world heard. Let me be clear. It does NOT depend on the context."
She said that exchange "set off a global reckoning and delivered accountability in higher education that we are still just beginning."
STEFANIK DECRIES HOCHUL AS 'WORST GOVERNOR IN AMERICA' IN FIERY 2026 CAMPAIGN LAUNCH
Miriam Adelson appeared to throw her support behind Rep. Elise Stefanik, who is running for New York governor, on Nov. 9, 2025, during the Zionist Organization of America’s Justice Louis D. Brandeis Award Dinner in New York. (Dominic Gwinn/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images and Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
The award comes a day after billionaire philanthropist Miriam Adelson voiced support for Rep. Elise Stefanik’s New York gubernatorial bid during the Zionist Organization of America’s Justice Louis D. Brandeis Award Dinner.
Stefanik, chairwoman of the House Republican Leadership, was honored with the Zionist Organization of America’s Mortimer Zuckerman Maccabee Warrior Award for her efforts to combat antisemitism.
Introducing her at the gala, Adelson lauded Stefanik for confronting university leaders over antisemitism and invoked her late husband Sheldon Adelson’s insistence on moral conviction.
Adelson described Stefanik as "a great leader," crediting her for defending "the Jewish people, Israel and the Free World."
Stefanik launched her long-anticipated Republican campaign for New York governor on Friday, entering the 2026 race as she challenges Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Hochul’s office for a comment.
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Stefanik, who once criticized President Donald Trump during his first presidential run, has since become one of his staunchest defenders in Congress.
Fox News Digital’s Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.
Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital.
Story tips and ideas can be sent to Greg.Wehner@Fox.com and on Twitter @GregWehner.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/stefanik-receives-top-jewish-award-days-after-announcing-new-york-governor-bid-manhattan-gala