Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Rabbi Arthur Schneier, founder and president of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation.

A noted rabbi who has continually pushed for religious freedom and human rights will be the recipient of this year’s Athenagoras Human Rights Award.

The award will be presented to Rabbi Arthur Schneier during the Grand Banquet of the Order of Saint Andrew, which will be held as part of the Order’s annual three-day assembly, Friday, Oct. 24, through Sunday, Oct. 26, at the Hilton Hotel in New York City. The award will be presented during the Grand Banquet on Saturday night, Oct. 25.

Rabbi Schneier is founder and president of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation and is internationally known for his leadership on behalf of religious freedom, human rights, and tolerance with specific interest in Turkey, China, Russia, Central Europe, and the Balkans. As head of Appeal of Conscience Foundation, an interfaith partnership of corporate and spiritual leaders from all faiths who come together to promote “peace, tolerance and ethnic conflict resolution,” Schneier has long held that “a crime committed in the name of religion is the greatest crime against religion.”

The Athenagoras Human Rights Award is presented annually by the Order to a person or organization, which has consistently exemplified by action, purpose and dedication, concern for the basic rights and religious freedom of all people. The 2007 recipient of the award was His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

To learn about the history and origin behind the Athenagoras Human Rights award and for resources on past recipients, visit archons.org/athenagorasaward