After 18 years as President of the American Israel Numismatic Association, Mel Wacks is stepping down, saying “I have had the pleasure and privilege of serving longer than any other AINA President, and it is time to pass the baton to a new generation.” Mel has been on the AINA Board of Directors almost continuously since the organization began in 1968. Mel is also resigning as Editor of the organization’s prize-winning magazine, “The Shekel,” after serving as Editor-in-Chief or Editor since 2013. Mel will remain on the Board, and will continue to contribute articles to The Shekel.
Mel Wacks also designed AINA’s website, and more than ten of the annual membership medals. He is the “Father of the Shekel Prize,” that has been given annually to the authors of the best book on the subject of Judaic or Holy Land numismatics, and heads the judging committee.
Long-time AINA Treasurer and activist Donna Sims is also stepping down from her position. At the July meeting of AINA’s Board of Directors, Simcha Kuritzky was elected as the new President and Josh Prottas as the incoming Treasurer; Chaya Sara Oppenheim was chosen as the new Editor. Simcha, Josh and Chaya will also serve on the Board.
For more information visit the website of the American Israel Numismatic Association.
Here you can find their magazine, “The Shekel”.
Mel Wacks is also the founder of the Jewish-American Hall of Fame. In 2019, he published an extensive work on these medals, including biographies of the inductees, their portrait medals und background stories about the pieces.
If you want to know more about the Shekel Prize, read our CoinsWeekly article about the first winner of this award.
