'Sanctuary' nominated for Emmy Award

“Sanctuary,” the Jewish Federation/Chicago Board of Rabbis public-affairs program broadcast on ABC7-Channel 7, is a nominee for a 2008-09 local Emmy Award.

“Facing the Threat of a Nuclear Iran,” the February 2009 episode of the show, is one of five nominees for Outstanding Achievement for Informational Programs, and the only one in the category that wasn’t produced by a broadcast or cable station.

The episode explored in depth the impending threat posed by a nuclear-armed Iran. Former U.S. ambassadors Mark D. Wallace, head of United Against Nuclear Iran, and J.D. Bindenagel discussed why they believe Iran is on the verge of developing nuclear weapons; the threat that poses to Israel, the Arab world, Europe and the United States; and what the nations of the world, and individuals, can do about it.

Also featured were State Sen. Jeff Schoenberg and Jay Tcath, executive director of the Jewish United Fund’s Jewish Community Relations Council, who discussed Illinois’ pioneering legislation that bars state pension funds from investing in companies doing business with Iran’s energy sector. That law also is the first in the nation to require all foreign firms doing business with the state to disclose any ties with Iran’s energy industry.

The program was hosted by Jerry Kaye. He has volunteered to moderate “Sanctuary” for the past 15 years because he believes in the power of television as “a crucial link both to the Jewish community and to a wider general community,” he said. Kaye is the director of Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute.

“Sanctuary” is a joint production of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and the Chicago Board of Rabbis, in cooperation with ABC7-Channel 7. It still is available for viewing on the Jewish United Fund website, www.JUF.org.

The Emmy Awards will be presented Nov. 7 by the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.