Bonei Zion Prize ceremony honors 12 olim for extraordinary contributions to Israeli society

Twelve English-speaking olim (new immigrants) were honored for extraordinary contributions to Israeli society at the 10th annual Sylvan Adams Nefesh B’Nefesh Bonei Zion Prize ceremony Monday evening in Jerusalem, the organization said.

Both the 2023 recipients and the 2024 honorees, who were selected by a panel of committee members, were recognized at the ceremony at the Beit Ha’am Cultural Center.

The 2024 recipients included Phyllis Heimowitz, co-founder of A Partner Left Behind–The Partners of Fallen IDF Soldiers, in the field of community and nonprofit; Eylon Levy, head of the Israeli Citizen Spokespersons’ Office, in the field of global impact; Dr. Debra Gershov-West, director of the Emergency Department at Samson Assuta Ashdod University Hospital, in the field of science and medicine; and Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, special envoy for the Foreign Ministry, in the field of Israel advocacy.

"In these challenging times, the dedication and accomplishments of our Bonei Zion recipients serve as a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of the people of Israel,” said Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Nefesh B’Nefesh. “These extraordinary individuals have not only achieved excellence in their respective fields but have also significantly enriched Israeli society and beyond, whether in medicine, education, technology, the arts, or community leadership. It is a privilege to celebrate their remarkable contributions, which strengthen the Jewish state and inspire future generations of Olim to continue shaping our homeland.”

A special recognition award was presented to Natan Sharansky, a Soviet human-rights activist and former head of the Jewish Agency, for “his lifelong dedication to Israel and world Jewry.”

The 2023 recipients included Sally Reidman, founder and president of the Reidman College of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, in the field of education; Prof. Carmi Z. Margolis, founding dean of Ben-Gurion University Medical School for International Health, in the field of science and medicine; Shari Mendes, founder and director of the Israel Lemonade Fund, in the field of community and nonprofit; Peter Kurz, CEO of the Israel Baseball Association and general manager of the national and Olympic teams, in the field of culture, arts, and sports; and Lt.-Col (res.) Danny Grossman, chairman of CMBM-Israel, in the field of global impact.

The Young Leadership Prize was awarded to Emily Schrader for her “impactful work as a journalist, content creator, and human rights activist.”

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Dr. Yehezkel Caine, president of Herzog Medical Center, for “his lifelong commitment to advancing medicine and aeromedicine on the global stage.”

Expressing gratitude to olim

The Bonei Zion Prize is an important opportunity to express gratitude to olim, Aliyah, and Integration Minister Ofir Sofer (Religious Zionist Party) said, as they have contributed in “extraordinary ways” to Israeli society in a variety of fields.

“These olim, each of who represents an inspiring life story, embody the spirit of Zionism and demonstrate that making aliyah is not just a personal act, but an immense contribution to the resilience and future of the State of Israel,” he said.

“I congratulate the esteemed recipients and thank them for their exceptional contributions, which strengthen Israeli society,” he added. “Together, especially during these challenging times, we will continue to promote the values of aliyah and its central role in building Israel.”

“After the atrocities committed against the Jewish people on October 7, and the multifront war that followed, it is crucial that we take a moment to recognize and celebrate the incredible individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to Israeli society,” Sofer said.

More than 500 people attended the ceremony, including Sofer, Aliyah and Integration Ministry Director-General Avichai Kahana, Yisrael Beytenu MK Oded Forer, Nefesh B’Nefesh co-founders Tony Gelbart and Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, and prize benefactor Sylvan Adams.

Adams, a Canadian-Israeli businessman and philanthropist who moved to Israel in 2016, said he was confident the olim would “continue to make a lasting impact both in Israel and around the world.”

“Their contributions across diverse fields inspire us all and serve as a testament to the strength and spirit of the Jewish people,” he said.

“Now, more than ever, our people must be fearless, demonstrating great courage and leadership in the face of evil amid the war, and as Jews in Israel and around the world confront an unprecedented rise in antisemitism. It is a true honor to be able to recognize inspiring olim year after year through the Bonei Zion Prize.”

Rabbi Fass said the dedication and accomplishments of the recipients “serve as a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of the people of Israel.”

“These extraordinary individuals have not only achieved excellence in their respective fields but have also significantly enriched Israeli society and beyond, whether in medicine, education, technology, the arts, or community leadership,” he said.

“It is a privilege to celebrate their remarkable contributions, which strengthen the Jewish state and inspire future generations of olim to continue shaping our homeland.”