Israel Prize

Grapevine, February 13, 2026: An anti-aggression alliance

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

Prof. Ofer Merin, IFCJ President Yael Eckstein, and Prof. Jonathan HaLevy.
US President Donald Trump gestures as he addresses House Republicans at their annual issues conference retreat, at the Kennedy Center, renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center by the Trump-appointed board of directors, in Washington, DC, US, January 6, 2026.

'Historic decision': Kisch invites Trump to attend Israel Prize ceremony on Independence Day

Conductor Zubin Mehta attends the American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Duet Gala at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on November 10, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California; illustrative.

Zubin Mehta cancels all Israeli shows, cites Netanyahu's 'treatment of Palestinians'

US President Donald Trump welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to his Mar-a-Lago club on December 29, 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida.

Trump to receive 2026 Israel Prize for 'special contribution towards the Jewish people'


Chicago-born Deborah Bernstein honored with Israel Prize

A Professor of sociology and anthropology, Bernstein devoted her career to the roles women take in Israeli life and Arab-Israeli relations.

Professor Deborah Bernstein

Bennett announces the winners for the lifetime achievement Israel Prize

Chaim and Miri Ehrental are founders of Zichron Menachem an organization that provides support for young people living in Israel with cancer without parents or siblings.

Education Minister Naftali Bennett announced Chaim and Miri Ehrental as winners of the Israel Prize for lifetime achievement and special contribution to society

Bequests to State of Israel contribute to continued academic research

There are many Jews and non-Jews who make bequests to the State of Israel or leave part or all of their estates to the State of Israel.

President Reuven Rivlin with the twelve doctoral students who received a prize for their theses

Report: Miriam Peretz pitched by Kahlon, Lapid, New Right to join politics

“Miriam Peretz has devoted her life to education and imparting the Jewish and Zionist heritage while conducting lectures to youth and soldiers."

Miriam Peretz (L) shakes hands with Israel President Reuven Rivlin (R) during the Israel Prize ceremony in Jerusalem on Independence Day, April 19th, 2018.

Two classics come together

Yehoram Gaon Joins the IPO for a special concert of his songs

YEHORAM GAON

Grapevine: One man making a difference

A roundup of culture news across Israel.

FROM LEFT: Prof. Joshua S c hwartz, director, Ingeborg Rennert Center for Jerusalem Studies; Ingeborg Rennert; Guardian of Zion Award recipient Rabbi Israel Meir Lau; Prof. Arie Zaban, president, Bar-Ilan University.

To Natan Sharansky

When most of us think of Natan, we think of the attributes classically associated with him – tenacity, faith, humor, courage, optimism, brilliance and chutzpa.

Natan Sharansky

Israel Prize winner Miriam Peretz: I won’t give up parts of my people

“If you miss one piece of the puzzle, the picture will not be complete, so I will not give up any part of my people."

Miriam Peretz (L) shakes hands with Israel President Reuven Rivlin (R) during the Israel Prize ceremony in Jerusalem on Independence Day, April 19th, 2018.

After 70 years, a shift in Jewish immigration ideology

When newly-minted Israel Prize winner Natan Sharansky became the head of the Jewish Agency nearly 10 years ago, the former refusenik did what he does best: shake things up.

Natan Sharansky

Actors Ze’ev Revach and Leah Koenig to light torch on Independence Day

Culture and Sports Minister Miri Regev said the two artists provided an expression of “the beauty of Israeli culture” from both the East and West.

Independence Day ceremony