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Written by Silvia G. Golan

Published: 24 May 2023

Yeshiva University awarded Yesterday its highest honor for global leadership, the Presidential Medallion, to Brigadier General (Ret.) Dr. Daniel Gold, Iron Dome Inventor

Yeshiva University’s 92^nd Annual Commencement Ceremony Honored Yesterday Iron Dome Inventor Dr. Daniel Gold, Holocaust Survivor Emil Fish and YU Class of 2023, the Leaders of Tomorrow

Celebrating its graduates, the leaders of tomorrow, Yeshiva University awarded Yesterday in New York its highest honor for global leadership, the Presidential Medallion, to Brigadier General (Ret.) Dr. Daniel Gold,

Head of Israel’s Defense Research and Development Directorate (DDR&D- MAFAT) at the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) and Israel Defense Forces (IDF); and bestowed an Honorary Doctorate to

Holocaust survivor, philanthropist, and visionary Emil Fish. The ceremony took at the Theater at Madison Square Garden.

“As Israel celebrates its 75^th birthday, it is particularly fitting for us to host one of the heroes who stands as a role model for our students for his deep dedication to the Jewish state and impactful leadership in safeguarding its vitality and security,”

said Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University.

“I am proud to be here today with the next generation of bright minds,” said Dr. Gold. “As Head of the Israel Ministry of Defense Research and Development Directorate (DDR&D-MAFAT),

it is my privilege to witness what brilliant young people are capable of. Their creativity, innovation and drive result in cutting-edge technology developed thanks to their talent, but more importantly

according to their values. The students here are receiving the tools and education they need to lead, and I look forward to their future accomplishments.

It is an honor to be awarded the Presidential Medallion for global leadership from Yeshiva University, an excellent academic institution educating our future leaders."

Emil Fish survived the horrors of Bergen-Belsen and upon becoming a successful businessman in Los Angeles, dedicated himself to remembering the victims of the Holocaust.

He founded YU’s Emil A. and Jenny Fish Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, which educates today’s teachers to effectively transmit the history and lessons of the Holocaust from a Jewish perspective — a vital need to

combat the alarming rise of antisemitism and Holocaust distorters and deniers.

“Over my lifetime, I have seen not just a declining interest in the Holocaust, but a growing misrepresentation of what happened,” said Mr. Fish.

“When I approached Rabbi Berman with the idea of a Holocaust education center, he immediately mobilized Yeshiva University’s resources.

YU has always stood up for what’s right for the Jewish people, and it continues to defend and uphold our values. I am deeply honored to receive an honorary doctorate from this extraordinary institution

and celebrate the manifold successes of my family at our beloved university.”

During the commencement ceremony, more than 1,700 degrees were awarded to students across four undergraduate and eleven graduate schools and programs.

In photo: L-R Sen. Joe Lieberman, Mr. Ira Mitzner, Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, Dr. Daniel Gold, and Mr. Emil A. Fish.

Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University and Mr. Ira Mitzner, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at YU, joined Senator Joseph Lieberman in congratulating this year's

graduation honorees: Brigadier General (Ret.) Dr. Daniel Gold, head of Israel's Defense Research and Development Directorate at the Ministry of Defense and IDF; and Mr. Emil A. Fish,

Holocaust survivor, philanthropist, and visionary at YU's 92nd Commencement Ceremony Tuesday, May 23, at Madison Square Garden"

 Visit the YU web site at www.yu.edu.

Photo credit: Yeshiva University. N.Y.  /  David Khabinsky

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Written by Silvia G. Golan

Published: 07 May 2023

Six unique statues standing for six leading figures in Persian heritage and culture were unveiled at HIT - Holon Institute of Technology, where they are displayed.

From now on, the Israeli audience will be able to be exposed to the characters of Abul-Qâsem Ferdowsi, Omar Khayyam, Jalal al-Din Rumi, Ibn Sina, Hafez and Cyrus the Great

Six statues standing for figures of leading personalities in the Persian heritage in the worlds of poetry, philosophy, astronomy, mathematics and medicine were unveiled.

in a unique ceremony held recently at HIT- Holon Institute of Technology. 

The ceremony was held in the presence of the donors: Mr. Manochehr  and Mrs. Mahnaz Nazarian, and Mr. Amir and Mrs. Parvin Esmailzade, who came especially to the ceremony from the USA, Miki Zohar - Minister of Culture, Mrs. Gila Gamaliel Minister of Intelligence, Pini Cohen, Chairman of the Board of Trustees - HIT, Prof. Eduard Yaakovov - President of HIT, Shmuel Goldberg, CEO of HIT, Mrs. Sivan Shahab - Chairman of the association 'Iranian Cultural Center’ and many public figures.

For Sivan Shahab, the chairman of the association 'Iranian Cultural Center’, which works to promote the magnificent Persian culture and heritage in Israel, it was important to place these statues in the framework of an important academic institution that is connected in its values to the worlds represented by the various figures, including: Abul-Qâsem Ferdowsi, the Persian national poet, Omar Khayyam, a Persian philosopher, mathematician and poet, Jalal al-Din Rumi, a 13th century Persian poet, Ibn Sina, a Persian physician, philosopher and scientist, Hafez a 14th century Persian poet and Cyrus the Great.

Sivan Shahab: “our association, the ‘Iranian Cultural Center’ sees the accessibility of statues of figures of key figures in the glorious Persian heritage to the general public in Israel as an important step in contributing to creating awareness around Persia as a powerhouse of culture and knowledge on various levels, a fact that may have been forgotten in recent years. Hafez, Ibn Sina, Omar Khayyam and their friends are synonymous with poetry, medicine, science and philosophy and I am grateful to HIT for providing wonderful and suitable accommodation for these characters."

Prof. Eduard Yakubov - President of HIT: "As an academic institution, we believe that the promotion of science and technology is the engine for the establishment and strength of the country, and for the improvement of the quality of life of its citizens. A major part of HIT's activity is the promotion of the professions of technology, engineering and the exact sciences. The choice to place the statues of giants of Spirit. 

and science that built the pillars of modern science is only natural, and it conveys this important message to the students. The institute boasts six Protome statues, which present and describe some of the most prominent figures brought to us by Persian culture. One of the statues is of the famous Persian king Cyrus who ruled the Persian Empire in 560 -530 BC and was the first in recorded history to provide a declaration of human rights, aka the Declaration of Cyrus, which gave the exiled Jews the opportunity to return and build their home in the Land of Israel, and establish the Second Temple there. HIT is proud to give space, both on the spiritual and physical level, to Persian culture It forms a mathematical and scientific basis for many of the studies and projects that are carried out to this day in collaboration with the students."

  Photos Silvia Golan 

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Written by Silvia G. Golan

Published: 21 May 2023

The Bible, the source and root of the Jewish people, has undergone an artistic arrangement and become a rare creation emblazoned with natural diamonds in an extraordinary work of design. 

The OrYahalom company enlisted designers and leading artists from Shenkar College for this unique project. The designers were challenged with creating an exquisite cover for the Bible that would express the principal beliefs of Judaism from a design point of view in their own personal style, using diamonds as a central motif. 

A copy of the Bible can be found in nearly every Jewish home, whether religious or secular. Its stories and values are a binding thread that touches upon the birth of the Jewish nation. Nearly every Jew, regardless of age or affiliation, draws inspiration from the Bible. Its deep symbolic meaning leads many people to present it as a meaningful gift during life’s most significant moments, such as bar and bat mitzvahs, army enlistment, milestone birthdays, weddings, or as an eternal keepsake to pass down from generation to generation. 

OrYahalom was established by CEO Ronen Priewer and his partner, businessman Ari Wolff. The company’s first product is the OrYahalom Diamond Bible. It brings forth a groundbreaking concept that connects the world of diamonds to the world of the Torah. These two realms, which until now were considered complete opposites, are presented here as one being in which the dimension of light forms the link between the Torah, which is the epitome of spirit, and diamonds, which are the epitome of matter. 

The design and execution of the Diamond Bible, which required much research and many attempts, was overseen by business consultant Gillian Golan and Orina Ferrante, Director of Development, both Senior Professors in the Jewelry Design Department at Shenkar. They recruited three Shenkar design graduates, Noy Ben Porat, Yaron Shmerkin, and Anouk Yosefshvili, who approached the design project with a detailed concept brief. The task posed a challenge on several levels, including maximizing the light of the diamonds, incorporating the diamonds into the Bible’s cover through an original method, and creating new artistic techniques.  

The Bible covers were inspired by the stories and central motifs from the world of the Torah, including the story of Creation, the Merkava (Divine Chariot), the Splitting of the Red Sea, From Darkness to Light, the Twelve Tribes, and Infinity. They were created using natural diamonds and high-quality light radiance. The Koren Edition Bibles were bound by Shevach Black, a renowned pioneer in the world of high-end Judaica whose work has been gifted to world leaders and US presidents. 

Ronen Priewer, the founder of OrYahalom, shared: “We could not think of a more groundbreaking way to connect these two extremes of consciousness – the world of spirit and the world of matter. We understood that a special approach was needed, one that was creative and out-of-the-box, in order to arrive at a unique result, both in terms of design and concept. That is what led us to this particular team of artists,” added Priewer.  

Gillian Golan, Professor of Commercial Design in the Jewelry Design Department at Shenkar explained, “The challenge was unusual and complex. I fell in love with the idea [of the Diamond Bible] because of its message and challenge. The intense light of the diamond, which is the supreme natural substance, its spiritual connection to the Torah, and creating a product that conveys this message.” 

She continues, “The designers used the Bible as a springboard, along with the concept of light. Throughout the process, we had to blend total creative freedom according to the designers’ artistic vision, with the story of the Bible, while preserving the manufacturing process and maintaining the level of handwork required for something so complex.  

“We set the diamonds within the work of a silversmith,” explained Orina Ferrante, Director of Development and Professor at Shenkar. “The challenge in this project was significant, primarily because this discipline mainly deals with gold. The material is softer, polishing and finishing require greater attention to detail. Throughout the long process, we overcame a great many obstacles and created a wonderful jewelry design that emphasizes craftsmanship and combines several elements,” added Ferrante.

International Judaica artist Shevach Black shared, “I’ve been developing techniques and artistic leather bindings for holy books for over thirty years. I’m amazed by this product. It required me to reach very unique levels of precision with regard to the structure, binding, and embossing style that combined different levels of depth and presence. I’m delighted that another new artistic creation has been added to the world of Judaica. 

OrYahalom’s Genesis Collection includes six different Bibles. They can be purchased in fine Judaica stores throughout Israel, including the Hilton Tel Aviv, the Mamilla Hotel, the Inbal Jerusalem Hotel, the Diamond Exchange in Ramat Gan, and the Philosophy store in Tel Aviv’s Kikar HaMedina. 

Prices range from $2,800 - $6,000, based on the number of diamonds on the Bible’s cover, the intricacy of the inlay, and the artistic design.

Learn more at oryahalom.com

 @shenkar_college

 @oryahalomofficial

 Photos Silvia Golan 

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Written by Silvia G. Golan

Published: 03 May 2023

In honor of Israel's 75th Independence Day, KKL-JNF and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs invited the entire diplomatic corps in Israel to plant 75 trees, a symbol of growth, development, and the deep connection with the land of Israel, at a special ceremony held today (Wednesday) at a KKL-JNF Forest, near Yad Vashem Museum in Jerusalem.

 75 ambassadors and diplomats from countries such as the United States, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, India, Japan, and Bahrain, among others, attended this exciting event hosted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Eli Cohen and KKL-JNF Chairwoman Yifat Ovadia-Luski, During the ceremony, before the ambassadors planted the trees, a special tree-planting prayer was read by the head of the diplomatic corps, H.E. Martin Mwanambale, Zambian Ambassador to Israel

The tree planting, initiated jointly by KKL-JNF and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is meant to emphasize the deep connection and collaboration between the State of Israel and the diplomatic corps representing the various countries. There is no better way to connect people to the land of Israel than planting a tree in the soil of the holy land. the planted trees are not only symbolic, but will grow to become mature trees and help preserve and develop Israel, creating a lush sustainable environment in the area.

 Eli Cohen, Minister of Foreign Affairs: "Planting 75 trees together with the ambassadors to Israel symbolizes the Jewish people's deep connection with the Land of Israel, as well as the State of Israel's strength and prosperity, on the 75th anniversary of its independence. I would like to express my gratitude to the ambassadors who took part in this project, giving expression to the friendship and international esteem Israel has gained around the world."

Yifat Ovadia-Luski, KKL-JNF Chairwoman: "In Leviticus, the Bible says: "... Come into the land and plant any kind of tree for food...". The best way to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the State of Israel is by planting trees that symbolize development, life, growth, and the abundance of the Israeli nature, right here, near the Yad Vashem Museum. Seeing ambassadors from different countries, who represent the deep bond between Israel and its friends around the world, planting trees in the land of Israel is very exciting. This symbolizes the warm relationship Israel has with its friends - one that grows closer as the years go by. I am proud to lead an organization which actively combats the climate crisis, in collaboration with international organizations and a host of countries which, together, are creating a better world. KKL-JNF protects nature all year round and works to develop forests for the benefit of the Israeli public. I welcome the ambassadors who honor us with their presence today, planting a tree in honor of the State of Israel."

 H.E Martin Mwanambale, Head of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Zambia to Israel:" I feel honored and privileged to take part in this tree planting event, together with my fellow Ambassadors. It's a very symbolic act, as it expresses our collective good wishes for the future of Israel and its people. It's significant that this event is taking place during Israel's Seventy Fifth Independence Anniversary".

 Photo from right to left:

Israel Goldstein chairman of the Kekel workers' union.

Yitzhak Vaknin Co-Chairman KKL JNF

Eli Cohen Minister of foreign affairs

Ms. Ifat Ovadia-Luski Chairwoman: 

H.E Martin Mwanambale, Head of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Zambia to Israel:"

Mati Cohen, project manager of 75 years, minister of foreign affairs

Photo Credit: Yossi Zamir, KKL-JNF