Nice Zionist Patriotic Booster, Moskowitz Prize for Zionism 2017, 5777

The media is so negative when it comes to idealistic Zionism that we all need some good "booster shots" periodically, and attending the prize-giving ceremonies put together for the Moskowitz Zionism Prize are just perfect. For various reasons I hadn't been to one for a few years, and I'm glad to have come this year.

Yehoram Gaon was the MC, and he did a phenomenal job both singing and providing the necessary introductions and background. Apparently, he had been invited to perform for visiting US President Trump and entourage but respectfully declined because it was at the same time as the Moskowitz ceremony.

The Moskowitz Prize has evolved over the years. It used to be that three people got the main prizes, and the audience was full of their families, friends and admirers. The program stressed the accomplishments of these magnificent individuals and was interspersed with amazingly photogenic and kitschy performances with the backdrop of Ir David, City of David.

This year it was at the much more accessible Sultan's Pool, between Jaffa Gate/Mount Zion/Old City Walls and Yemin Moshe. And instead of a variety of awardees, there was just one, the incomparable Moshe Arens. Arens is one of the last of a generation of Israelis, originally from the states actually, who was involved in a totally amazing amount of Israeli History. Yes, he's definitely worth prize recipients, or more.

One of the highlights of the event was certainly Education Minister Naftali Bennett's speech. There was a double theme of the evening, which were that it's ten years since the prize began and the fifty years since the Liberation of Jerusalem and the Six Days War.

Bennett gave a personal aspect to this, by telling how the tension and Arab threats before the war, plus the miracles all of my generation and older remember so clearly affected his parents.  According to Bennett, pre-Six Days War, his parents were typical unaffiliated assimilated Jews living in America, but the extraordinarily miraculous Six Days War woke up their Jewish identity and changed their lives completely. That's how they ended up making aliyah and discovering Torah Judaism.

Bennett also voiced a plea to visiting American President Trump to make history and recognize Jerusalem as Israel's Capital City.

A large proportion of the audience were teenagers. Schools came to attend, and it wasn't for the Zionism booster shot. There were some popular entertainers, two generations younger than the veteran Israeli star Yehoram Gaon. I whispered to my husband:

"Am I the only one who has never heard of these singers?"

As soon as the "concert" part of the evening began, many of us old fogeys left and went home. We had enough fun...

Pre-Pesach update from Jewish Israel

Posted by Jewish Israel
Anita Tucker to Receive Moskowitz Prize for Zionism:
Jewish Israel is pleased to report that Anita Tucker is to receive the Moskowitz Prize for Zionism. A7 writes that, "Anita, one of the early pioneers of the Gush Katif settlement enterprise, became one of the leading spokespersons for the residents during the long and intense struggle against the Disengagement...She now works to help the Gush Katif communities retain their unique, pre-expulsion character of Torah and Land of Israel values, friendly communal relations, and pioneering spirit."

Anita is certainly well-deserving of this award! With everything she manages to do, Jewish Israel is pleased and honored to have her actively serving on our board as Community Affairs Advisor – a role which she has taken on with characteristic dedication and enthusiasm...more

Rabbinic Conference on Christian funding scheduled for Chol Hamoed
On the second day of Chol Hamoed Pesach, Yeshivat Ateret Yerushalayim will be sponsoring a rabbinic conference entitled “The Missionary Enemy”. The subject under discussion is the problems inherent in accepting funds from Christian sources. A number of prominent rabbis are scheduled as featured speakers. This conference is in Hebrew and the details can be seen here.

Jewish Israel gave presentations at a Rabbinic Conference in mid-February on the topic of "Activities of Christian organizations and Evangelicals in Israel”. We are pleased that some of the participants and attendees at that conference took matters seriously and organized this upcoming conference as a follow-up. Although the Ateret Yerushalayim conference will be in Hebrew, Jewish Israel will be giving an English presentation at the Israel Center in Jerusalem shortly after Pesach. Time and details to be announced... more

Zionism Alive And Well

Last night my husband and I attended the Second Annual Jerusalem Day Moskowitz Zionism Awards. That meant that I had the great pleasure to be in Jerusalem on Jerusalem Day.


Unlike what I saw on the official government TV station, the celebrants in the Jerusalem streets were young, young and religious.

The general Israeli public is so far removed from our history and heritage. In terms of demographics, these are the kids who will be the majority very soon.

The Moskowitz Zionism ceremony was at Ir David, David's City. It's an amazing place, and I must go there "as a tourist."

One of the Prize Winners was Ronit Shuker. She and her first husband, the late Yossi Shuker, were the main leaders in establishing Shvut Rachel, Givat Achiya and Meshek Achiya Olive Oil. I don't know the other prize winners, but I must say that Ronit is even greater than all the praises heaped on her by the Moskowitz Prize committee. I pray that she and her family enjoy good health and many blessings. The audience was full of her neighbors from Shvut Rachel and Givat Achiya. It was very thrilling. I've known her since she married Yossi. They were my older children's youth leaders. After my daughter's engagement, one of the first things she did was to bring her chattan (fiance`) to Yossi, who was then hospitalized.

On our way home, we went with friends to their son's apartment in one of the Jewish buildings near Har HaZaitim, The Mount of Olives. The view of Jerusalem was surrealistic.


Yes, a very thrilling and wonderful way to celebrate Jerusalem Day!

Chag Sameach and Shabbat Shalom

Has Anyone Nominated Women in Green?

It's time for nominations for the Moskowitz Prize for Zionism. I think Women in Green's Nadia and Ruth Matar deserve the prize.




The Moskowitz Prize for Zionism was established by Dr. Irving and Cherna Moskowitz as an expression of support for people who put Zionism into action in today's Israeli society, acting for the benefit of the common good in order to ensure the strength and resilience of the national Jewish homeland.

The need for this special prize arose from the feeling, shared by many, that the true Zionist heroes in today's Israel - those known to the public as well as those far outside the public spotlight - do not always receive the institutional recognition and public praise they deserve.

These are Israeli men and women acting from a feeling of personal responsibility, vision and national mission, each in his field, and often while sacrificing their personal welfare and even endangering their personal security.

This year marks the second annual Prize, and it is awarded to Israeli citizens, residents of Israel, who best personify modern Zionism in Israel in their actions addressing the challenges that face Zionism today - in education, culture, settlement, social action and other spheres. The cash prize, awarded to an individual or individuals, exceeds $100,000.

This year's submission deadline is January 7th, so please act now!

For more information and to submit candidacies, please see www.moskowitzprize.com

The Best of Zionism!

Whoever says that Zionism is "dead" and we're in the era of "Post Zionism" is wrong, totally and utterly wrong!

Last night, in Ir David, the City of David, near the Walls of Jerusalem, we attended the Moskowitz- Zionism Prize Giving Ceremony.

A few months ago, notices appeared in the media requesting nominations for those deserving to be awarded for their Zionist contributions. Within a very short time, hundreds and hundreds of nominations were sent in. Three winners were chosen.
They are:

Rabbi David Fendel, head of the Hesder yeshiva in Sderot, "for the values of community involvement and commitment to the nation and the Land that Rabbi Fendel has instilled in hundreds of his students; for his yeshiva serving as a source of strength for all of Sderot's residents especially in these most troubling of times; for his actions, which make him a role model and Zionism leader."
Mr. Moshe 'Moshko' Moshkowitz, visionary and builder of Gush Etzion communities, "for over sixty years of activity and dedication in the areas of education and settlement; for his personal role in the establishment of communities and educational institutions throughout Israel, and particularly for his central role in establishing and making the communities of Gush Etzion prosper."
Brig.-Gen. (res.) Ran Pecker-Ronen, a highly decorated former Israel Air Force pilot and founder of the 'Tzahala' project, "for epitomizing bravery, self-sacrifice and leadership, for his outstanding approach to the educational and societal challenges facing Zionism today, and for his successful project "Tzahala", based on the volunteerism of former army officers at the forefront of social involvement with Israel's youth."

It was a well-produced, thrilling ceremony, which included popular Israeli singer, Shlomo Gronich. I didn't enjoy some of his songs, which were about "Peace."

The Moskowitz Prize for Zionism was established by Dr. Irving and Cherna Moskowitz in recognition of the people who put Zionism into action in today's Israeli society – at times risking their own personal security, placing the collective before personal needs, and doing what it takes to ensure a strong, secure Jewish homeland.