Greek Americans Honor AJC Executive Director

The Foundation chose Harris in recognition of his "lifelong contribution to combating anti-Semitism, discrimination and intolerance, and for his efforts to forge strong bonds between the Greek and Jewish peoples."

Ambassador Thomas Miller, former U.S. ambassador to Greece, presented the award during the Third Annual Washington Oxi Day Celebration, attended by Members of Congress, ambassadors and other dignitaries.

"This award is an inspiration to me and AJC to understand that there is always something else, something more we could do," said Harris, who has headed the global Jewish advocacy organization since 1990. "When it comes to moral courage, Metropolitan Chrysostomos set the bar incredibly high."

The award is named after Metropolitan Chrysostomos, the Greek Orthodox Church leader on the island of Zakinthos who, together with Mayor Loukas Karrer, saved all 275 Jews on the island during the Nazi occupation. When the Nazis asked Chrysostomos for a list of all Jews living on Zakinthos,he produced a list of two names only, his and the mayor's. In 1978, Yad Vashem named Chrysostomos and Karrer "Righteous Among the Nations" for saving Jews during the Holocaust.

Like the Metropolitan, Mr. Harris does not wait for a convenient time to put himself and AJC on the right side of history," said Rep. Gus Bilirakis, co-chair of the Hellenic-Israel Alliance.