Presidential medals and Alumni Achievement awards were conferred on leading philanthropists and graduates from Israel and around the world.

(pictured above) The 2016 Awardees pose with the BIU President: (front row from l. to r.) Presidential Award recipients Eng. Nathan Feldman (Mexico), Elie & Mimi Douer (Brazil), Margaret Feder (USA), and Esther Marianne Tager (UK); (standing l. to r.) Alumni Achievement recipient Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, Presidential Award recipient Robert Epstein (Australia), Corinne and Gérard Gerard Cytron (France), Shira Ruderman (USA/Israel), BIU President Rabbi Prof. Hershkowitz, Alumni Achievement recipient Gen (res.) Dr. Avichai Mandelblit, Presidential Award recipient Emanuel Kronitz (Israel), and BIU Trustee and Chair of British Friends Romi Tager. Not present: Georges Cytron and Jay Ruderman

The BIU President and BIU Trustee Margaret Feder presenting the Alumni Achievement Award to Israeli Attorney General Dr. Avichai Mandelblit (pictured in center)

Among the prominent alumni honored were the Israeli Attorney General, for his far-reaching legal actions which have advanced justice, ethics, integrity and democracy in the State of Israel, as well as the founder of Shurat HaDin—Israel Law Center, for her commitment to human rights and her legal activism against organizations that support terror.

The festive event, sponsored by the Danielle Foundation, was held at the Dan Accadia Hotel, Herzliya-on-the-Sea. The BIU President, Rabbi Prof. Daniel Hershkowitz, conferred the honors upon philanthropists and friends from Israel and abroad who have made a noteworthy contribution to furthering BIU goals through their many projects and activities.

Responding on behalf of the awardees, Esther Marianne Tager (pictured) said “We all share a similar passion for this outstanding university. Its highly respected academics pursue their research in a religious yet egalitarian environment. That fusion of the religious and the academic and the willingness to engage with the outside world is what makes it such an exceptional university.” Ending with a toast to BIU, she said, “May you all continue to inspire us with your wonderful contribution to both Israel and the diaspora.”

Elio Moti Sonnenfeld (center), Founder of the Danielle Foundation, stands with the talented Danielle Fellows singled out for their excellence from BIU’s School of Medicine in the Galilee. Sonnenfeld spoke movingly of his late daughter Danielle, an enthusiastic hospital volunteer who was tragically killed in a car accident before she was able to formally study medicine.

Israeli singer and composer Rami Kleinstein performs at the Gala Dinner.