Prof. Reuven Feuerstein
Photo: Alex Kolomoisky
Israeli's Nobel Prize nod gains momentum
Intellectuals worldwide aim to see renowned psychologist Prof. Reuven Feuerstein win Nobel Peace Prize
What do a Muslim sheikh from Hebron, a world renowned Venetian intellectual and dozens of professors from the world over have in common with a Jewish educator? They all want the latter to win a Nobel Peace Prize.
Several dozen prominent intellectuals will convene in Jerusalem Monday, with the intention of devising a plan meant to see Prof. Reuven Feuerstein become a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
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Feuerstein, 90, is a world-renowned clinical, developmental and cognitive psychologist.
His lifelong work in developing applied theories in the fields of structural cognitive modifiability, mediated learning experience, deficient cognitive functions, dynamic assessment of learning propensity and shaping modifying environments, to name a few, has been recognized worldwide, and he is considered to be at the top of his field.
In 1992, Feuerstein was awarded the Israel Prize for Social Sciences.
"Since they don't give a Nobel Prize for education, dad was recommended for the Peace Prize," Rabbi Raffi Feuerstein, the professor's son, explained.
"His supporters say that his work saves lives, so he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize, especially when there are precedents for people receiving Nobels outside their discipline."
Prof. Feuerstein's methods have found their way to the Amazonas, Rwanda and even the Eskimos, and are now prevalent in Hebron as well: "We visited Hebron and saw the children's needs there. We are now developing special programs for them," he said.
According to Yedioth Ahronoth, the learning center in Hebron is one of the reasons one of the most enthused advocates for Feuerstein's Nobel candidacy is Sheikh Jabbari Farid Khider – one of the city's most prominent religious figures.
"We also have Gaza in mind," the professor said. "We want them to send teachers to us and we will train them on how to teach children suffering from genetic disorders."
The Nobel Prize Committee has already received a recommendation on Feuerstein's behalf, for which he said he was honored.
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