The committee noted: "Gregg Drinkwater's article is an extraordinary, moving, and deftly constructed work of historical scholarship. Drawing on crucial interviews, a wide array of primary sources, and queer theory, the article uncovers a fascinating history of liturgical innovation in late 20th-century American Judaism, demonstrating how 'gay and lesbian Jewish leaders and their synagogues have helped reshape the relationship to healing, spirituality, and personal prayer among American Jews."
The Wasserman Essay Prize is awarded for the best article published in a volume (4 issues) of the journal听American Jewish History.