A highlight of last night’s gala evening at the international real estate fair “Coming to Jerusalem” in Manhattan was the presentation of the “Jerusalem Ambassador in the Diaspora” award to NBA star Deni Avdija by Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion. The event was produced by the Jerusalem Municipality and the Israeli Builders Center with the goal of encouraging aliyah and residential growth in Israel’s capital. Approximately 1,000 community leaders, entrepreneurs, and senior industry figures from Israel and abroad attended the fair.
During the event, Mayor Moshe Lion presented the award to Deni Avdija in recognition of his exceptional role as an ambassador for the State of Israel in the United States. Lion praised Avdija for the immense pride he brings to millions of Jews and Israelis, as well as for his steadfast advocacy both on and off the court, especially during this complex period.
Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion: "Deni Avdija is not only an extraordinary athlete, first and foremost, he is an ambassador at heart and in spirit for the State of Israel and our values. On the court and beyond it, especially during this challenging time, Deni proudly represents the strong and beautiful face of our nation. Presenting him with the Jerusalem Ambassador award is our way of thanking him on behalf of Jerusalem and the millions of Israelis and Jews around the world who draw inspiration from him every single day.”
The tribute to Avdija concluded a day of strategic initiatives aimed at showcasing Jerusalem’s unprecedented wave of development and construction to the American Jewish community. The entire initiative was led in professional partnership with the Israeli Builders Center, headed by Eran Rolls, which is working to make Jerusalem’s leading development projects accessible and to turn the vision of living in Jerusalem into a reality for the U.S. Jewish community.