Dankner named WJC Herzl Award winner

WJC says it will present the highest distinction to the IDB chairman in recognition of his contribution to the development of the Galilee, Negev.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Nochi Dankner 311 (photo credit: Courtesy)
Nochi Dankner 311
(photo credit: Courtesy)
IDB chairman Nochi Dankner will receive the prestigious World Jewish Congress Herzl Award this year, the WJC announced on Monday.
The WJC said it was presenting its highest distinction to Dankner in recognition of his contribution to the development of the Galilee and the Negev.
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WJC president Ronald Lauder cited Dankner’s “personal example of business activity combined with Zionist activity and social responsibility.”
The WJC Herzl Award has been bestowed to outstanding leaders, thinkers and entrepreneurs the world over, to pay tribute to their work and efforts on behalf of the Jewish people and the State of Israel.
Previous winners include Elie Wiesel, Richard Holbrooke and Helen Suzman. Dankner will be given the award next Sunday in Jerusalem at the WJC’s Governing Board gathering.
Dankner began his efforts to support Israeli citizens along the confrontation lines during the Second Lebanon War, the WJC said, initiating, executing and personally leading hundreds of long-term projects.
From 2006 until 2011, the companies of the IDB Group donated and allocated over NIS 400 million to community projects, about half of this in the field of education, including the distribution of 18,000 scholarships to students from the Negev and the Galilee.