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L–R: Nir Barkat, Miriam Naor, Benjamin Netanyahu, Reuven Rivlin

Nine exceptional citizens awarded Israel Prize

Israel concludes its 69th Independence Day by honoring outstanding academics, humanitarians and an athlete with the country's recognition. Among those honored is the 'father of lone soldiers,' a ten-time Olympic medalist and a groundbreaking cancer researcher.

Israel’s 69th Independence Day ended on Tuesday evening with the annual awarding of the Israel Prize in Jerusalem.

 

 

The ceremony at the International Convention Center was attended by President Reuven Rivlin, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Supreme Court President Miriam Naor, Education Minister Naftali Bennett, and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat.

 

L–R, top to bottom: Uri Shaked, Arie Vardi, Ágnes Keleti, Yehuda Liebes, Malka Margalit, David Beeri, Tzvika Levy, Nili Cohen, Yossi Yarden
L–R, top to bottom: Uri Shaked, Arie Vardi, Ágnes Keleti, Yehuda Liebes, Malka Margalit, David Beeri, Tzvika Levy, Nili Cohen, Yossi Yarden

 

Two Israelis receive the Lifetime Achievement Award: David Beeri and Col. (res.) Tzvika Levy. Be’eri is the founder of the Elad organization who, according to the judges, “transformed the City of David into a first-class heritage, education and tourism site.” It was also noted that “the prize was given to him for his contribution to the state in the establishment of his own enterprise which became a national enterprise—the City of David.”

 

Bennett with Tzvika Levy (Photo: Amit Shabi)
Bennett with Tzvika Levy (Photo: Amit Shabi)

 

Levy is considered “the father of lone soldiers.” “For dozens of years he has worked on behalf hundreds of thousands of soldiers without means, and he has treated bereaved families with commendable devotion,” wrote the judges.

 

When Beeri and Levy were called to the stage, cries of joy were heard from the crowd.

 

Bennett with David Beeri (Photo: Amit Shabi)
Bennett with David Beeri (Photo: Amit Shabi)

 

The education minister addressed Israeli youth in his speech. “I appeal to you because you too, each and every one of you, can be the future Israel Prize laureate, and in my remarks at this honorable position, I call to you: choose a way of life of creation and action by way of entrepreneurship,” Bennett said.

 

The oldest laureate this year was Holocaust survivor 96-year-old Ágnes Keleti, who won 10 Olympic medals when she represented her country of birth, Hungary. She received the prize in the field of sports.

 

Ágnes Keleti and Bennett (Photo: Channel 1)
Ágnes Keleti and Bennett (Photo: Channel 1)

 

The prize committee stated in its remarks that Keleti is a powerful and brilliant figure. "A trailblazing woman, a leader and a role model for all her students in Israel and across the world, who made history and lives among us," they wrote.

 

Keleti is the most successful Jewish female athlete to have competed in the Olympics, and her number of Olympic medals won by a Jew is only beat by the American swimmer Mark Spitz, who won 11.

 

In the field of engineering research, professor Uri Shaked, 74, considered one of the world’s leading scientists in the field of control theory. The methods developed by Shaked are now widely used in all industries, including the Israeli defense industry. He also made a significant contribution to the expansion of scientific-technological education in Israel and was one of the leaders in the process of establishing academic colleges of engineering that contributed to making academic education accessible to a more diverse range of

students.

 

Uri Shaked (Photo: Eyal Fisher)
Uri Shaked (Photo: Eyal Fisher)

 

Professor Malka Margalit, a leading international researcher in the field of special education and the study of learning disabilities, was honored for her work in education research. Her research has made a significant impact on the development of special education in Israel over the years. Her research shows how hope instills high achievements among students and how improving mental willpower is a tool for making far-reaching personal change.

 

Malka Margalit and Bennett (Photo: Amit Shabi)
Malka Margalit and Bennett (Photo: Amit Shabi)

 

Professor Yehuda Liebes was honored for his work in the field of Kabbalah and Jewish mystical literature. In its recommendation, the Israel Prize Committee noted that Liebes is a brilliant leading researcher in the study of Jewish mystical literature. His many innovations include highlighting the role of myth and messianism as prominent forces in Jewish culture, and his research ranges across many fields, in particular all aspects of Kabbalah, where he showed depth, boldness and innovation.

 

Bennett with Yehuda Liebes (Photo: Amit Shabi)
Bennett with Yehuda Liebes (Photo: Amit Shabi)

 

In the field of music research, Prof. Arie Vardi, a great musician and pedagogue, was honored. He has contributed greatly to the advancement of classical music culture in Israel and to the advancement of Israeli music and Israeli musicians around the world. The judges explained, “Professor Vardi made classical music accessible to the widest audience through explained concerts and many innovative television programs.” He tutored generations of pianists who are now at the top of the world’s music scene and thus has a decisive influence on shaping the contemporary image of classical music culture in the world.

 

Arie Vardi and Bennett (Photo: Amit Shabi)
Arie Vardi and Bennett (Photo: Amit Shabi)

 

In the field of life sciences research, professor Yossi Yarden was awarded the Israel Prize as one of the most important cancer researchers in the world. Yarden focused his studies on the identification of growth factor receptors responsible for regulating the central life processes in the cell, understanding their behavior, and discovering the disruptions occurring in them, which contribute to the development of the cancer process. On the basis of his discoveries, a series of anti-cancer drugs has been developed, some of which are already widely used. The prize committee wrote, “Professor Yarden’s work is an example of pioneering biological research.”

 

Yossi Yarden and Bennett (Photo: Amit Shabi)
Yossi Yarden and Bennett (Photo: Amit Shabi)

 

In the field of legal research, professor Nili Cohen was awarded the Israel Prize. The judges wrote, “Cohen is an academic leader chosen for her achievements as president of the Israel Academy of Sciences and has an important voice in the struggle over the image of legal and academic research in Israeli society.”

 

Bennett hands the prize to Nili Cohen (Photo: Amit Shabi)
Bennett hands the prize to Nili Cohen (Photo: Amit Shabi)

 

(Translated and edited by J. Herzog)

 


פרסום ראשון: 05.02.17, 21:45
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