Steven Lowy honored for leadership as antisemitism rises and war continues

“The level of antisemitism is unprecedented in our lifetime, but the Jewish People are more united than ever and have shown unbelievable dedication to the State of Israel,” Steven Lowy, the outgoing chairman of the World Board of Trustees of Keren Hayesod (United Israel Appeal), told world leaders of the organization on Wednesday.

He made his remarks during a ceremony at the President’s Residence at which he was presented with the inaugural Keren Hayesod Ze’ev Jabotinsky Award. The award will also be presented to all of his successors at the conclusion of their term.

Lowy said he was pleased that his father, Sir Frank Lowy, a Czech Holocaust survivor who fought in the War of Independence and later migrated to Australia, was present to witness the honor conferred on him.

The Lowy family intends to return to the President’s Residence before the end of the year for a somewhat grander ceremony, when President Isaac Herzog will award the President’s Medal of Honor to eight outstanding people, including Frank Lowy.

Referring to the Holocaust, Steven Lowy wondered who could have imagined that antisemitism would rise again with such intensity 80 years later.

Grateful and uncomfortable to revive award

He said he was greatly honored to be the first to receive the award, but he felt uncomfortable to be given it while the Israel-Hamas War continues and 101 hostages are still in Gaza.

Herzog, who in his previous role as chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel had worked closely with Lowy, regarding him as a friend, said he was happy to host the event and salute “an outstanding Jewish leader.”

Herzog emphasized that Lowy had been hesitant about taking on the leadership but had eventually agreed to do so during “an extraordinarily difficult moment for Israel and the Jewish people.”

Aside from praising Lowy, Herzog lauded “the remarkable capacity of Jewish leaders worldwide” during Israel’s period of crisis. He also lamented that of the brave young men and women who unhesitatingly went out to defend the country, 800 had already fallen in battle.

Herzog said he was aware that for Diaspora Jews, the war has created a crisis in identity, belonging, and safety.

Under the prevailing circumstances, Herzog said he was particularly appreciative of the presence of so many Jewish leaders from different countries.

“You have come, saying, ‘We are here,’” he said.

Herzog has a particularly nostalgic affection for Keren Hayesod. Many years ago, the first time that he was sent abroad to represent the State of Israel, he was assigned to address a gathering of young Keren Hayesod volunteers in Liverpool, England.

Other speakers at the ceremony, though aware that Lowy does not like flattery, spoke about how he had made Keren Hayesod more efficient and persuaded donors to be more generous and forthcoming.

Since before the war, Keren Hayesod has also been heavily involved in rescue operations in Ethiopia and Ukraine, saving Jews in those countries and bringing them to Israel.

Bruce Leboff, who is succeeding Lowy and who also holds leadership positions in the Jewish Agency, recalled standing with Lowy on the Polish-Ukrainian border as Ukrainian Jews were being brought to safety.

“It was an unforgettable experience,” he said.

Keren Hayesod world chairman Sam Grundwerg, who participated with Lowy on global campaigns, said he had been inspired by him.

Lowy said he had once met Grundwerg at the army base where Grundwerg was doing reserve duty and found him in a sleeping bag on the floor. Lowy had been impressed that Grundwerg was serving as a soldier, like anyone else, while simultaneously worrying about Keren Hayesod.

Among those who came to celebrate with Lowy were Jewish Agency chairman Doron Almog; WZO Organization chairman Yaakov Hagoel; Russian Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar, who Lowy said was doing tremendous work for the Jewish community; and newly elected head of the Eshkol Regional Council Michal Uziyahu, who will be responsible for the restoration of many of the communities on the Gaza periphery.

Maj. (res.) Dafna Asmati, a singer and composer from Be’eri who survived the October 7 massacre, was also present. Most of her time is spent in advocacy and projects promoting the rehabilitation of Be’eri.

Keren Hayesod is among the most veteran of Zionist organizations. Its founders in 1920 included Ze’ev Jabotinsky and Chaim Weizmann, who later became the first president of the State of Israel.

The Jewish calendar anniversary of Weizmann’s death is November 21, and Herzog intends to deliver a graveside eulogy in Rehovot.