Joshua Levi enters Honour Roll
UPDATED: The late Joshua Levi has been entered into the NSW Premier’s Honour Roll.
The Joshua Levi smile
This year’s ceremony zoomed in the presence of the NSW Minister Geoff Lee
The citation read
Joshua Levi
For courage and commitment to journalism that lead to many honour including for the best investigative story news story in 2016 and the best news story in 2016 and 2017 at the Premier’s multicultural media awards. His reports under covering allegation of sexual abuse became evidence at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Josh had been the CEO of the Australian Jewish News until his untimely death at the age of 36.
His parent, Ian and Levi said: As parents, you hope that your child finds fulfilment and meaning in the work that they do, inspiration from family, mentors, colleagues and community.
He had unwavering courage and commitment to investigate and report the truth, his desire to champion the cause of any story with empathy and integrity has made a lasting impact on our community and will forever serve as an inspiration to all those who love him and those who worked with him. We are immensely proud of our son.”
The editor of the AJN Zeddy Lawrence commented: “It is particularly poignant that Josh received this honour on the same evening that Malka Leifer was finally deemed fit to be extradited. Josh covered the Leifer story for The AJN for a number of years, giving voice to her alleged victims and supporting their efforts for the former principal to be returned to Australia to stand trial. As a journalist, Josh was committed to making the Jewish community a better safer and more honest environment for all its members.
This well-deserved recognition bestowed by the Premier of NSW recognises his dedication to making readers proud of their heritage and to improving the society in which we live, highlighting its flaws, campaigning for those failings to be rectified and holding those in positions of authority to account.”
Member for Vaucluse Gabrielle Upton said it was incredibly deserving to see the late Josh Levi honoured. “Josh’s passing has left a large gap in the Jewish community. He was a courageous and talented media professional who didn’t shy away from pursuing a story in the public interest. His legacy will never be forgotten.” Ms Upton said.
Josh was only 36 when he passed away and he and his wife Lia had just become parents for the first time. Lia told J-Wire: “Josh was much more than my life partner and father to our little girl Lara. He was truly my best mate, he was kind, non-judgemental and so giving. He would help anyone who needed help. For the short time that he was a father, he doted on Lara and gave her so much love and gave me so much support. He truly was the best.”
The announcement was scheduled to have been made at an event attended by 1600. The event was Zoomed on Tuesday evening to 60 participants.
