Herzl Award

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In 2004, on the centennial anniversary of Theodore Herzl’s death, the Department for Zionist Activities of the World Zionist Organization created the Herzl Award. This award is given annually to outstanding young men and women in recognition of their exceptional efforts on behalf of Israel and the Zionist cause.

Herzl was the father of political Zionism. Even though he died at the young age of 44, of which only 9 were dedicated to the Zionist cause, he was able to mobilize the forces and create the infrastructure that would revolutionize the Jewish world and bring about the realization of the Jewish people’s age-old dream of returning to Zion.

According to the site of the WZO (http://www.wzo.org.il/doingzionism/about_us/activity.asp?id=207) candidates are nominated by Zionist Federations around the world for achievement in one or more of several fields:

encouraging aliyah
promoting Zionist education (formal or informal)
fostering the study of Hebrew
advocating on behalf of Israel
furthering the development of Israel as an exemplary society
contributing to the advancement of Zionist thought
organizing on behalf of the Zionist movement

Nominees must be no older than 44, Herzl’s age at the time of his death.

All Herzl Award recipients receive a distinctive certificate and an engraved cast bronze trophytrophy, as well as being inscribed in a special Herzl album in Jerusalem.

Recipients 2004 (Inaugural Award):

United States: Brian Sacks; Elana Yael Heideman; David Borowich; Dr. Moises Salinas

Australia: Dr. Ron Weiser

South Africa: Errol Anstey

Denmark: Simon Boysen

Hungary: Dr. Attila Novak

India: Raphael (Ralphy) Ezekiel Jhirad

Argentina: Susana Edith Gelber

Mexico: Meny Samra Cohen; Marcos Metta Cohen

Belgium: Francis Weitz

Recipients 2005:

United Kingdom: David Collins, Steven Elstein, Jonathan Hantman