Following on the heels of his earlier presentations of the Passover Haggadah and the books of Esther and Jonah, Gorfinkel, known to his friends as “Gorf,” along with Israeli illustrator Yael Nathan and a team of specialized artists, have produced “The Koren Magerman Tanakh Graphic Novel: Bereshit Vol. 1,” which renders the first two Torah portions in Genesis, Bereshit and Noah, in dynamically engaging visual narrative form.
Breaking Boundaries: Celebrating My NAEJ Win and the Journey of Award-Winning Work
Lisa Ellen Niver
I’m thrilled to share that I WON in the Diversity in Entertainment category at the 2024 National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards for my podcast interview with Carolyn Ray of JourneyWoman!
What an absolute honor to be nominated FOUR times this year—and to now celebrate as a 9-time winner and 35-time finalist! I’m also deeply humbled to be nominated multiple times at both the NAEJ and Southern California Journalism Awards for Online Journalist of the Year.
This recognition means so much, and I’m incredibly grateful to the Los Angeles Press Club for not only celebrating my work but for the career-changing opportunities they’ve given me. From mentoring to networking and connecting with extraordinary people, they’ve been a transformative part of my journey.
I want to thank ALL of my incredible podcast guests—now spanning five seasons of Make Your Own Map! Each of you has brought unique perspectives, meaningful stories, and powerful insights to the mic, making this journey truly special. From Beth Santos and Carolyn Ray to Samantha Brown and beyond, you inspire me to keep asking questions and sharing stories that matter.
A HUGE thank you to the judges, my listeners, and everyone who continues to support my storytelling. My book has won awards, my podcast has won awards, and both my digital and print work have been recognized. I’m also excited to share that my YouTube channel has surpassed 2.25 million views—an incredible milestone that wouldn’t have been possible without you all.
I’m honored, inspired, and more motivated than ever to keep going! Here’s to continuing the journey and telling stories that connect us all.
What an honor to be nominated for online journalist of the year among these other incredible journalists:
A3. Online Journalist of the Year — Independent
J3. Diversity in the Entertainment Industry
J5. One-on-One Interview, TV Personalities
I also help with social media for LA Press Club—
Lisa Niver has won many awards! From 2017 to 2024, in the Southern California Journalism Awards and National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards, she has won nine times and been a finalist thirty-five times for a variety of broadcast, print, podcast and digital categories.
More about Lisa Niver: https://lisaniver.com/awards/
More about BRAVE-ish
Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.
Editor's Picks
Israel and the Internet Wars – A Professional Social Media Review
The Invisible Student: A Tale of Homelessness at UCLA and USC
What Ever Happened to the LA Times?
Who Are the Jews On Joe Biden’s Cabinet?
You’re Not a Bad Jewish Mom If Your Kid Wants Santa Claus to Come to Your House
No Labels: The Group Fighting for the Political Center
Latest Articles
Busting Antisemites
Turning the Tables on the Genocide Lie
How I Lost My Composure in Front of 2,000 People
Newsom Signs Safe Worship Act, Ira Gershwin Initiative, Technion Society Names Board President
Religious Violence and Other Failures
The End of the Beginning – A poem for Parsha Bereshit
A Bisl Torah ~ Sharp Anchoring
When we teach our children, the lesson they glean should be sharp and clear enough, so they feel anchored by our tradition and confident in our values.
A Moment in Time: October 7 – We Will Not be Defined by Loss
Simchat Torah is the Antidote of Hevel
Print Issue: The Genocide Case Against Hamas | October 9, 2026
Was a single day’s attack, no matter how savage, too brief to qualify as genocide? It turns out that duration has never been the legal test.
Yasmin Levy Refuses to Put Ladino Music in a Museum
The Israeli singer returns the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills on Oct. 11 with “One More Night,” bringing the mix of Ladino, flamenco and Middle Eastern music that has defined much of her work.
Amichai
‘NAZA: The Real Story’ Gains Momentum as Counter-Film Challenges Gaza Documentary
“NAZA: The Real Story” focuses on the IDF’s efforts to avoid civilian casualties while fighting Hamas, portraying an army that takes extensive precautions before carrying out strikes.
‘NAZA’ Proves Nada
“Naza” is not successful on any level as a documentary, but if judged on awards, and getting people who were already angry angrier, it very well may be.
Jewish Businessman Takes Pro-Palestinian Group to Court … and Wins
“I have no problem with freedom of speech, but don’t call me a baby killer” – Philip Krawitz
Ynon Kreiz to Leave Mattel and Co-Lead Combined Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery
Kreiz will join the board and oversee day-to-day management and integration of the businesses.
Rabbis of LA | IDF Veteran Remembers October 7, 2023
Second of two parts
The Virtues of Fresh Salads
After weeks of holiday feasting and heavy meals, the new Jewish year is a perfect time to reset, to nourish our bodies with food that is wholesome and still tastes delicious.
Table for Five: Bereshit
Primordial Light
Olympic Legend Moved By Hostage Painting
Dwight Stones, who was born in Los Angeles and is Jewish, has long been a strong supporter of Israel.
On Oct. 7, Reflections on Remembrance
Even as we mourn everything we’ve lost, let us also remember the moments of hope and healing — moments that restore our faith in humanity’s promise.
Rosner’s Domain | Remembering Oct. 7, Politically Speaking
October 7 is a day that already reverberates powerfully in the consciousness of every Jew. But the meaning of it has yet to be deciphered.
When Peace Becomes Possible: A Lesson from the South Caucasus
For Israel, and for everyone who believes that seemingly permanent conflicts need not remain permanent, what is unfolding in the South Caucasus deserves to be recognized, encouraged and protected.
Mamdani Uses Oct. 7 to Accuse Israel of the Worst Crime in History
Even on this singular day to honor the victims of Oct. 7, the mayor kept the poison coming.
The Other Shoe
I stood there in awe, my eyes blurring with tears, listening to the hush and experiencing the unnamed. I couldn’t tell which was stranger: feeling the rainforest in me, or me in the rainforest. And then my phone rang.
A New Graphic Novel Re-Presents the Bible
Following on the heels of his earlier presentations of the Passover Haggadah and the books of Esther and Jonah, Gorfinkel, known to his friends as “Gorf,” along with Israeli illustrator Yael Nathan and a team of specialized artists, have produced “The Koren Magerman Tanakh Graphic Novel: Bereshit Vol. 1,” which renders the first two Torah portions in Genesis, Bereshit and Noah, in dynamically engaging visual narrative form.
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.