English-speaking Olim who significantly contributed to Israel were honored at the Knesset. “This is the most effective answer to our enemies and those who wish our demise,” Minister Tzachi Hanegbi stated.
Seven English-speaking Olim (immigrants to Israel), who have greatly contributed to the State of Israel, were recognized and honored on Monday at an official ceremony held at the Knesset during which they received the 2017 Sylvan Adams Nefesh B’Nefesh (NBN) Bonei Zion Prize.
The prize recognizes ”outstanding Anglo Olim who have helped Israel in a meaningful way by encapsulating the spirit of modern-day Zionism and contributing in significant ways towards the State of Israel.”
The ceremony was held in the presence of Minister of Regional Cooperation Member of Knesset (M) Tzachi Hanegbi and Minister of Immigration and Absorption MK Sofa Landver.
Recipients were chosen by a prestigious panel of committee members in the following categories: Science & Medicine; Community & Non-Profit; Education; Israel Advocacy; Culture, Art & Sports, and Young Leadership.
The honorees include: Professor Benjamin W. Corn, Head of the Institute of Radiotherapy at Ichilov Hospital in the field of Science & Medicine; Beth Steinberg, Director and Co-Founder of Shutaf Inclusion Programs and Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Theater in the Rough in the field of Community & Non-Profit; Rabbi Chaim Brovender, Founder and Rosh Yeshiva of WebYeshiva.org in the field of Education; Professor Gerald Steinberg, President of NGO Monitor and Professor of Political Studies at Bar Ilan University in the field of Israel Advocacy; and Yoram Raanan, Contemporary Jewish Artist in the field of Culture, Art & Sports.
The Lifetime Achievement Awards were bestowed upon Professor Alice Shalvi for decades of inspiring contributions in shaping the status of women in Israel through education and advocacy, and Professor Eliezer Jaffe for his accomplishments in nonprofit and philanthropic giving, raising awareness and support for Israeli citizens in need.
In addition, the Young Leadership Prize was awarded to Captain Libby Weiss, head of the Social Media Department in the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, and to Scott Neiss, Founder and Executive Director of the Israel Lacrosse Association.
Ahead of the ceremony, Nefesh B’Nefesh Co-Founder and Executive Director Rabbi Yehoshua Fass stated that ”Olim from English-speaking countries around the world continue to make significant and meaningful contributions to the State of Israel each day. Once again, these Bonei Zion Prize recipients demonstrate that there are no limits on what an Oleh can achieve and the impact one can have. We are proud to be honoring such an extraordinary group of dedicated and Zionistic individuals.”
“The fact that Israel is still attracting people from all over the world to come – people with optimism, vision and hope – this is the answer. This is the most effective answer to our enemies and those who wish our demise,” Tzachi Hanegbi, Minister of Regional Cooperation, told the audience, Arutz-7 reported.
NBN, in cooperation with the Israeli government and the Jewish Agency for Israel, is dedicated to revitalizing aliyah from the USA, Canada and the UK by removing or minimizing the financial, professional, logistical, and social obstacles.
By: United with Israel Staff