Winner of the 2018 Canterbury Medal: Rabbi Dr. Meir Y. Soloveichik

Each year, the Becket Fund, a non-profit, public-interest law firm that defends the freedom of religion of people of all faiths, honors a person who embodies an unfailing commitment to religious freedom. The Canterbury Medal, as the award is called, is religious liberty’s highest honor in America. In 2018, Meir Soloveichik was the recipient of it. His acceptance speech can be watched above or read below.

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First, to Becket. To Bill, to Montse, to Mark, all the lawyers and staff of the Becket Fund. I’m so grateful to you. Not only for the extraordinary honor that you’ve bestowed on me this evening, but also for one of the great privileges of my life, which is affiliation with all that you do. Being on the board of the Becket Fund allows me to experience the extraordinary pride produced by the small word “we.” Wherever I am, speaking, at any place, the synagogue or an interfaith gathering, or any other place, I get to say, “I’m on the board of the Becket Fund.” We represented the Little Sisters of the Poor. We fought for a Sikh who sought to wear his turban while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. We fight for the religious liberty of Mormons and Jews and Muslims and all people of faith in America. And my favorite we: we won that case at the United States Supreme Court.