FROM A PRESS RELEASE
CHICAGOBernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois, was among a small group of leaders invited to attend a Sept. 21 reception with Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany.
The reception was at the Leo Baeck Institute in New York City. Previous recipients of the Leo Baeck Medal include the Hon. Joschka Fischer ( former Chancellor of Germany ) , Daniel Liebskind ( architect ) and the Hon. W. Michael Blumenthal ( former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury ) .
Merkel was awarded the medal for her humanitarian work, and the post-ceremony reception was held to celebrate that honor. The invitation-only reception was attended by various U.S. and German dignitaries as well as a select group of community leaders.
Cherkasov was invited to the reception by the consulate general of the Federal Republic of Germany. Earlier this year, Cherkasov was recognized by the Anti-Defamation League and invited to attend its Leadership Mission to Germany. During the week-long visit to Germany, attendees met with and were briefed by officials from various branches of German government and participated in meetings with community organizers from various fields.
In her acceptance remarks, Merkel, who is the first female head of German government, spoke of her values influenced by the experience of growing up a woman in East Germany. The chancellor underscored her country's commitment to vigilantly guarding the lessons of the Holocaust and her personal commitment to championing equality for all minority groups.