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Munich Professor Guy Katz Receives Margot Friedländer Prize 2026 for Anti-Semitism Engagement
Berlin, October 12, 2026 – Professor Guy Katz, a distinguished academic from Munich, has been awarded the prestigious Margot Friedländer Prize 2026 for his unwavering dedication to combating anti-Semitism. The award ceremony, held in Berlin, also recognized the Europaschule Rövershagen in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the “Zeit ohne Zeugen” project from the Federation of German Catholic Youth (BDKJ) in Paderborn.
The Margot Friedländer Prize, endowed with a total of 25,000 euros, honors individuals and organizations that champion tolerance, humanity, freedom, and democracy while actively fighting against anti-Semitism. The award serves as a poignant reminder of the late Holocaust survivor and honorary citizen of Berlin, Margot Friedländer, who passed away in 2025.
Guy Katz: A Legacy of Activism and Education
Professor Katz, a Jewish individual and grandson of four Holocaust survivors, is a Professor of International Management at Munich University of Applied Sciences. His extensive work includes initiating numerous alliances, campaigns, and educational projects, notably “Munich Against Anti-Semitism.” Following the Islamist terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, he organized over 100 silent marches in Munich, demonstrating his profound commitment to peace and understanding.
Elke Büdenbender, wife of Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and chairwoman of the jury, lauded Katz for his perseverance, courage, and exceptional ability to inspire countless others in his activism. The jury selected the awardees from a pool of 310 submissions, highlighting the significant impact of Katz’s contributions.
Europaschule Rövershagen and BDKJ Paderborn Also Recognized
The foundation’s school prize was bestowed upon the War Graves AG of the Europaschule Rövershagen in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. For over 25 years, this group has been actively involved in Holocaust remembrance, anti-Semitism prevention, and the research of Jewish life in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to historical education and reconciliation.
Additionally, the “Zeit ohne Zeugen” (Time Without Witnesses) project by the Federation of German Catholic Youth (BDKJ) Paderborn received an award. This innovative project utilizes virtual reality technology to provide young people with access to the history of National Socialism, making historical sites like the Warsaw Ghetto tangible and immersive experiences.
Margot Friedländer’s Enduring Legacy
The Margot Friedländer Foundation was established in the summer of 2023 by Margot Friedländer herself. An honorary citizen of Berlin, she passed away on May 9, 2025, at the age of 103. Born into a Jewish family in Berlin, she was deported to the Theresienstadt concentration camp by the National Socialists. After her liberation in 1945, she emigrated to the USA. It was not until she was 88 that Friedländer returned to Berlin, where she regularly visited schools and other institutions across Germany to share her life story as a contemporary witness, leaving an indelible mark on generations.
