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Bonei Zion Prize Awarded to Prof. Carmi Z. Margalit

The Bonei Zion Prizes were awarded for the tenth consecutive year to 12 immigrants from English-speaking countries, whose achievements serve as a model for others and have made a transformative impact on Israeli society. Among this year’s laureates was Prof. Carmi Z. Margalit, Director of the International School of Medicine at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

Bonei Zion Prizes 2023–2024: Honoring Immigrants Building Israel’s Future

The Nefesh B’Nefesh organization presented the Bonei Zion Prizes, sponsored by Sylvan Adams, at a ceremony held at the Jerusalem Theater. This year’s event celebrated the laureates for both 2023 and 2024, as the ceremony could not be held last year due to the outbreak of war. The prizes, totaling 300,000 NIS, were awarded to 12 immigrants in recognition of their outstanding contributions to Israeli society in fields such as education, science and medicine, volunteerism, culture and arts, sports, and global impact.

Supported by Sylvan Adams, the prize underscores the importance of immigrants who do not merely settle in Israel but actively contribute to shaping and building the country’s future. Their influence extends beyond local borders, reflecting their pivotal role in advancing the State of Israel and exemplifying the spirit of modern Zionism, strengthening Israeli society and promoting its values on the global stage.

In the Science and Medicine category, the award was presented to Prof. (Emeritus) Carmi Z. Margalit, Director of the International School of Medicine at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Prof. Margalit was also a founding partner of the university’s Faculty of Health Sciences, served as Head of the Division of Community Health, and directed the Prives Center for Medical Education.

“I came to Beer-Sheva thanks to Moshe Prives, who saw me as fit to participate in establishing a medical school that would meet three goals: high-level teaching, an innovative curriculum integrating clinical studies, primary medicine, community health, and preventive medicine,” Prof. Margalit said. “I am deeply grateful and moved to receive this honor.”

[L-R] Tony Gelbart, Prof. Carmi Margalit, Sylvan Adams, Rabbi Yehoshua Fass | Photo: Shachar Azran

Additional Bonei Zion Prize Laureates

2023 Laureates:

  • EducationSally Reidman, founder and president of Reidman College for Complementary and Integrative Medicine.
  • VolunteerismShari Mendes, founder and CEO of Lemonade Israel.
  • Culture, Arts, and SportsPeter Kurz, CEO of the Israel Association of Baseball and director of the national and Olympic baseball teams.
  • Global ImpactLt. Col. (Res.) Danny Grossman, chairman of the Israel Center for Mind-Body Skills.

2024 Laureates:

  • Science and MedicineDr. Debra Gershov-West, head of the Emergency Medicine Department at Assuta Ashdod University Hospital.
  • VolunteerismPhyllis Heimowitz, co-founder of the “Leave a Friend Behind” organization.
  • Global ImpactEylon Levy, head of the Israeli civilian spokesperson’s office.
  • Israeli AdvocacyFleur Hassan-Nahoum, a special envoy for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Additionally, a Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Dr. Yehezkel Caine, president of Herzog Medical Center, and a Special Recognition Award was given to Natan Sharansky for his lifelong efforts to support immigration. The Young Leadership Prize was awarded to Emily Schrader, a journalist and human rights activist.

Recognizing Excellence in Citizenship
Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, co-founder and CEO of Nefesh B’Nefesh, praised the laureates, saying, “The immigrants we honor with the Bonei Zion Prizes are living examples of exemplary citizenship. In a time when Israel continues to expand and deepen its role as a homeland for the Jewish people, these individuals are proof of the profound impact immigrants can have on society, despite the challenges of moving to a new country. We are proud of these winners and excited to see how they continue to illuminate Israeli society and inspire future immigrants.”

Ophir Sofer, Minister of Aliyah and Integration, added: “The Bonei Zion Prize provides an important opportunity to express gratitude to immigrants who have made extraordinary contributions to Israeli society and led significant changes in their fields. These remarkable individuals, each carrying an inspiring story, embody the spirit of Zionism and prove that immigration to Israel is not just a personal act but a tremendous contribution to the strength and future of the state. I congratulate the distinguished laureates and thank them for their exceptional contributions, which strengthen Israeli society. Together, especially now, we will continue to uphold the values of Aliyah and its central role in building the State of Israel.”

Sylvan Adams: Honoring Courage and Contributions
Sylvan Adams emphasized the significance of the awards in light of the recent October 7 atrocities and the ensuing multi-front war, stating: “It is crucial to take a moment to recognize the incredible individuals who have made exceptional contributions to Israeli society. These immigrants, who have become an integral part of our country, have helped achieve and shape our accomplishments, reinforcing our national resilience. Their contributions across a wide array of fields inspire us all and serve as a testament to the strength and spirit of the Jewish people. Now, more than ever, we must be fearless, courageous, and determined in the face of evil during these trying times when Jews in Israel and around the world are confronting an unprecedented rise in antisemitism. It is a true honor to celebrate these inspiring immigrants, year after year, through the Bonei Zion Prize, and I am confident they will continue to make extraordinary impacts both in Israel and globally.”

About Nefesh B’Nefesh
Nefesh B’Nefesh was founded in 2002 by Rabbi Yehoshua Fass and businessman Tony Gelbart with the aim of promoting Aliyah from North America in cooperation with the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Jewish Agency, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael, and JNF-USA. Over the past two decades, the organization has facilitated the immigration of more than 85,000 new immigrants to Israel, who contribute to the economy, culture, and demographics of the country. The organization works to remove professional, logistical, and financial obstacles during the immigration process and after arrival, while advocating for the unique needs of this population by streamlining bureaucratic barriers, promoting policy changes, and initiating legislative processes.

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