At an event in Tel Aviv, the “Resilience Award for Children and Youth” was presented to kids and teens, ages 6 to 18, for their actions promoting strength, persistence and determination during the Swords of Iron war.
This first-of-its-kind initiative was led by the Mashabim Resource Center, the Jewish Agency’s Fund for the Victims of Terror, and Keren Hayesod in collaboration with the Libstein family. The award is dedicated to the memory of Ofir Libstein, head of the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council, and his son Nitzan, who were tragically killed defending their home on Oct. 7.
The 26 children and teens from across Israel were chosen from among many inspiring stories submitted by the public. Half of the honorees will receive the resilience award along with a personal scholarship, while the other half will receive special commendations for outstanding contributions. Three youth groups that worked together in an inspiring manner were also recognized.
The winners were selected by a professional committee that included Vered Libstein, Ofir’s widow and Nitzan’s mother; Ayelet Nahmias Verbin, chair of the Jewish Agency’s Fund for the Victims of Terror; professor Mooli Lahad, founder and president of the Mashabim Resource Center; Edna Weinstock-Gabay, CEO of Keren Hayesod; and Yoram Shliar, chair of the psychologists’ union.
This initiative seeks to foster discussions of resilience and hope; shine a spotlight on the extraordinary stories of the younger generation; and emphasize their ability to recover and act for the benefit of society even during challenging times.
The Jewish Agency’s Nahmias Verbin said, “The past year and a half has taught us all a great deal about loss and pain, but also about our tremendous personal and national resilience that allows us to rise, heal, and recover, as families, communities and a nation. Unfortunately, many families and children have borne heavy burdens during the war. The recipients of the resilience award demonstrate that even in the face of immense pain, we can all grow and inspire hope. Together with the dedicated team at the Jewish Agency’s Fund for the Victims of Terror, we stand by these families not only in their darkest hours, but over time, ensuring personal, communal and national recovery.”
Lahad, the founder and president of the Mashabim Resource Center, said, “When darkness and fear enveloped us on Oct. 7, sparks of hope emerged within Israeli society. Alongside adults who naturally stepped forward, we witnessed extraordinary courage and determination in children and youth; they inspire hope in all of us. For these children, Mashabim, which I founded 45 years ago in Kiryat Shmona, is proud to present the Resilience Award for Children and Youth today. They stand as role models for personal and societal resilience. We believe resilience is a skill that can be nurtured and developed at any age and in any situation. The children and youth we honor today, recipients of the resilience award in memory of Nitzan and Ofir Libstein, are living, inspiring proof of this belief.”
“The personal stories of the children and youth selected to receive the resilience award are a powerful testament to the incredible strength within Israel’s younger generation, especially during these challenging days,” said Keren Hayesod CEO Weinstock-Gabay. “Keren Hayesod sees tremendous value in supporting initiatives that promote resilience, hope, and solidarity in Israeli society. We are proud to be part of this exciting initiative dedicated to youth and commemorating Nitzan and Ofir Libstein. This project highlights the values Keren Hayesod champions, generosity and mutual responsibility, which shine in Israeli society, particularly in difficult times.”
“The Resilience Award for Children and Youth is a tribute to the legacy of Ofir and our son Nitzan,” said Vered Libstein. “It emphasizes education, leadership, personal example, and, above all, resilience that flows from the individual to the broader community. Our recovery as a society and a nation rests on the shoulders of this young generation, whose actions, even at a young age, inspire admiration and appreciation.”
The award recipients received their honors at a moving ceremony hosted by Eliana Tidhar and featuring an artistic performance by “The Next Star” participant Daniel Weiss. A native of Kibbutz Be’eri, Weiss survived the horrors of Oct. 7, but lost his parents on that day.
Among the winners are:
- Gali Eilon, 16, Kibbutz Or HaNer, who bravely guided soldiers under fire on Oct. 7.
- Ben Carasso, 10, Tel Aviv, known as “The Spokeskid of Israel,” advocates for Israeli children globally.
- Rajwan Safadi, 10, Majdal Shams, saved lives by warning friends of an incoming missile despite being injured.
- Marwan Jaber, 16, Daliyat al-Karmel, reaches audiences worldwide with pro-Israel advocacy.
- Harel Handin, 11, Kfar Sirkin, who lives with cerebral palsy and leads efforts for hostage return.
- Yoav Rosenthal, 16, Tel Aviv, founded “Youth for Hostages,” rallying teens through daily activism.
- Hillel Hodaya Ben Abu, 18, Efrat, swiftly organized logistics to aid soldiers on Oct. 7.
- Ofek Lustgarten, 12, Holon, has volunteered tirelessly for soldiers and the wounded.
- Liad Shapira, 14, Ramat Gan, fosters unity post-Oct. 7 by connecting hostage families with diverse groups.
Other honorees include:
- Noam George, 18, Beersheva, and Nir Atia, 17, Ashkelon, co-founders of Hero of a Mother, a memorial project for fallen heroes.
- Omer Chomsky, 16, Kibbutz Urim, became a pillar of support for displaced children.
- Belin Belay, 18, Safed, an Ethiopian immigrant who launched initiatives like HASAN to uplift her community.
- The “SACHI Jonathan Yechini” group of kids ages 11 to 18, Moshav Yechini, honors Jonathan Hagbi by distributing food during the war.
- The Youth Dormitory at Nofei HaBesor, Kibbutz Nofei HaBesor, ensured their displaced classmates could complete high school together.
Those who received commendations include:
- Bar Dekel Hen, 8, Kibbutz Nir Oz, who endured Oct. 7 in a secure room while her father was abducted, is coping with trauma in an inspiring way.
- Harel Dabush Nisim, 10, Zitan, raises awareness about the hostages, including his cousin, Rom Braslavski.
- Shoham Sabaghi, 13, Moshav Patish, opened his home to Nova festival survivors and helped register evacuees.
- Ariel Avichazer, 17, Beersheva, provides free haircuts to soldiers, offering them moments of normalcy.
- Liad Golan, 18, Ofakim, shares the heroism of his city with visiting delegations, promoting resilience.
- Tomer Rosenthal, 15, Tel Aviv, and Barry Stein, 14, Tel Aviv, are key activists advocating for hostage return, organizing school initiatives and engaging lawmakers.
Others recognized include:
- Avigail Abu, 16, Beersheva, who established a command center supporting 150 wives of deployed soldiers
- Yaara Medan, 17, Tel Aviv, who aided Nahal Oz families despite personal hardships.
- Adiel Levinson, 14, Jerusalem, volunteers at refreshment stations for soldiers.
- Liam Sanpiri Ben Ami, 10, Shoham, launched Dreams Create Reality, bringing hope to people through drawings.
- Maor Sharoni, 10, Sde Warburg, despite personal loss, volunteers with Birthday Fairies to bring joy to others.
- Ora Sarosi, 18, Sderot, founded Youth Torah, an educational framework supporting teens during the war.
- Finally, the Lev Ofir Choir, of people ages 8 to 15 at the Ibim Absorption Center, is named after Ofir Libstein, and continued performing despite evacuation, providing stability and strength to fellow immigrants.
Each honoree has shown remarkable courage, compassion and dedication to their communities.
