The 10th annual Sylvan Adams Nefesh B’Nefesh Bonei Zion Prize ceremony recently honored 12 inspiring Anglo olim (“new immigrants”) who have made exceptional contributions to Israeli society.
It was held at the Beit Ha’Am Cultural Center in Jerusalem and recognized the outstanding 2023 recipients, as well as the 2024 honorees, who were carefully selected for their extraordinary contributions throughout the “Iron Swords” war.
The ceremony drew more than 500 attendees, including Israeli Minister of Aliyah and Integration Ofir Sofer; Avichai Kahana, director-general of the aliyah ministry; Knesset member Oded Forer; Nefesh B’Nefesh co-founders Tony Gelbert and Rabbi Yehoshua Fass; and Sylvan Adams, a Canadian-Israeli businessman and philanthropist devoted to enhancing Israel’s global image and the Bonei Zion prize benefactor.
The 2023 recipients included Sally Reidman, founder and president of the Reidman College of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, in the field of education; professor Carmi Z. Margolis, founding-dean of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev 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 the general manager of the national and Olympic teams, in the field of culture, arts and sports; Lt. Col. (Res.) Danny Grossman, chairman of CMBM-Israel, in the field of global impact.
In addition, the Young Leadership Prize was awarded to Emily Schrader for her work as a journalist, content creator and human-rights activist.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Dr. Yehezkel Caine, president of the Herzog Medical Center in Jerusalem, for his lifelong commitment to advancing medicine and aeromedicine.
The 2024 recipients included Phyllis Heimowitz, co-founder of A Partner Left Behind-The Partners of Fallen IDF Soldiers, in the field of nonprofit work and community; Eylon Levy, head of the Israeli Citizen Spokesperson’s 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 Israel Foreign Ministry, in the field of Israel advocacy.
A special recognition award was presented to Natan Sharansky, former Soviet refusnik, human-rights activist and previous head of the Jewish Agency for Israel, for his lifelong dedication to Israel and world Jewry.
“The Bonei Zion Prize is an important opportunity to express our gratitude to olim who contribute in extraordinary ways to Israeli society and have led significant changes in every field they have been involved in,” said Sofer, Israel’s immigration minister. “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. I congratulate the esteemed recipients and thank them for their exceptional contributions, which strengthen Israeli society. 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 Oct. 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,” said Adams. “These immigrants, who have become an integral part of our nation, have helped shape our national success and strengthen our resilience.
“Their contributions across diverse fields inspire us all and serve as a testament to the strength and spirit of the Jewish people. 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,” he said. “It is a true honor to be able to recognize inspiring olim year after year through the Bonei Zion Prize. I am confident that they will continue to make a lasting impact both in Israel and around the world.
“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 Fass. “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.”
The 2023 and 2024 recipients were chosen by a distinguished panel of committee members and represent excellence across diverse fields, including education, science and medicine, community and nonprofit, global impact, culture, art and sports, lifetime achievement and young leadership.
