U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg was honored Wednesday for his contributions to the Jewish community and Israel.

The New Jersey Democrat was feted at New York’s Pierre Hotel at the annual gala for Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus life.

Lautenberg, the Senate’s oldest member, was absent because of a chest cold, but the ceremony was broadcast to his home. His wife, Bonnie Lautenberg, accepted the organization’s Renaissance Award, which is given each year to someone whose work has impacted Jewish life.

“I don’t think there is anyone in the Jewish community who has done so much for our community, this country and the world,” said Randall R. Kaplan, chair of Hillel’s International Board of Governors.

The 89-year-old Lautenberg announced in February that he won’t seek re-election next year. He was advised by his doctor to stay home because he was coughing due to the chest cold, his wife said.

She choked up when she took the stage to accept the award for him and saw the crowd of about 400 people on its feet.

“His doctor thought it would be best if he rest up tonight, so, believe it or not, he listened,” she said. “I was shocked. We all were shocked. It’s not like Frank to listen. Hi, honey. We’re all here.”

Lautenberg was honored for his numerous contributions to the Jewish community, including the Lautenberg Amendment, which initially granted historically persecuted Russian Jews refugee status in the United States and has since been extended to other countries and minority religious groups.

Lautenberg also created a cancer center at the Hebrew University in Israel and was chairman of United Jewish Appeal in the 1970s. His wife said he’s “very proud of being Jewish.”

Bonnie Lautenberg said she and her husband were in a taxi to the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston when the driver mentioned he was Russian. She said Frank Lautenberg asked him how he came to the United States:

“The Lautenberg Amendment,” the driver told him.

“I’m Lautenberg,” Lautenberg replied.

The driver was shocked and wanted to give the couple a free ride, but Lautenberg insisted on paying, his wife said.

The National Conference Supporting Jews in Russia, Ukraine and the Baltic States & Eurasia gave the first Lautenberg Prize to the Genesis Philanthropy Group, which works to strengthen the Russian-speaking Jewish community worldwide.

The company Lautenberg founded, ADP, announced it will award $300,000 in college scholarships to underprivileged New Jersey students in the next three years. Hillel, a worldwide Jewish student organization that has chapters at more than 550 colleges and universities, will administer the funds.

(AP)