Zionism at its Best

Zionism, Zionism, unadulterated Zionism.
(Pictured at left, Director of the Moskowitz Prize Ruthie J. Lieberman, Mrs. Cherna Moskowitz and Minister Uzi Landau)

Zionism at its best.

Imagine being in Ir David, in the City of David, in the cradle of civilization. As the wind tickles your hair, you can just picture the winds that woke King David and played his harp for him.
Tonight I had the glorious opportunity of attending the Moskowitz Prize for Zionism.
The three prize recipients were epic Zionists - Meir Dagan, former head of the Mossad; Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, co-founder of Nefesh B'Nefesh; and former MK Chanan Porat, one of the founders of Gush Emunim (pictured here, flanked by Cherna Moskowitz and Rabbi Pesach Lerner).
The evening was emotional and inspiring and an evening of appreciation for those Jewish giants whose lives have epitomized Zionism, love of and service for Eretz Yisrael. (At left, Rabbi Yehoshua Fass)

(At left, Avigdor Kahalani congratulates honoree Meir Dagan)
There is so much to say about this stellar evening, and I'm falling asleep on my keyboard, but I don't want to end without mentioning a few points.
Beloved philanthropist and sponsor of the event, Cherna Moskowitz (pictured here) was present. As she entered the event area, an awe rolled over all those present. Cherna and husband Dr. Irving Moskowitz are responsible for most of the great and small Zionist projects in Israel today from Yeshiva Bet Orot to buildings in Chevron, the Old City, the Mount of Olives, and throughout Judea and Samaria.
The Moskowitzes have donated reportedly more than $90 million to important causes here and abroad.
When Mrs. Moskowitz (everyone called her "Cherna") arrived at tonight's ceremony, she was revered with a mixture of love, admiration and gratitude. Her contribution, support and encouragement of the institutions of Eretz Yisrael reminded me of the input of Baron Edmonde de Rothschild and his wife Adelaide, who were responsible for the reclamation of nearly 500,000 dunams of land and almost 30 settlements. May Hashem bless Cherna and her husband Dr. Irving Moskowitz with good health and long life.

Amazing Evening

From the seamless way the evening progressed to thoughtful gifts on each seat (including a shawl against the cold), to the moving clips about each honoree (mini-documentaries), to the music by Meir Banai was perfectly executed.
For this, credit must be given to the Director of the Moskowitz Prize Ruthie Jaffe Lieberman (at left), who oversaw ever detail with care and precision.

Who's Who of Zionism

One of the greatest parts of the Moskowitz Prize is being surrounded by the Who's Who of Modern Day Zionism. Besides the honorees and the Moskowitz family, I was honored to be in the same company as:
Noam Armon, spokesman of Chevron and former Moskowitz Prize Winner
Yedidya Atlas, media specialist, senior correspondent and commentator for Arutz 7
Yoram Ettinger, former ambassador. editor of The Ettinger Report
Harav She'ar Yashuv Kohen, chief rabbi of Haifa
Rabbi Sholom Gold, founder and dean of the Avrom Silver College
Judy Grossman, Keep Jerusalem
Eve Harow, former City Councilwoman of Efrat, Arutz 7 radio personality and brilliant tour guide
Harav Hillel Horowitz, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshiva Shaavei Chevron
Yehudit Katzover, Women in Green and the Yibaneh Fund
Minister Uzi Landau
Rabbi Pesach Lerner, Executive Vice President of the National Council of Young Israel





Daniel Luria, spokesman of Ateret Kohanim
Baruch Marzel of Chevron (seen here with Voices Publisher Yisrael Katz)
Nadia Matar, founder of Women in Green and the Yibaneh Fund


Winkie & Batya Medad, prolific Zionist bloggers, media specialists, columnists
(no, that's not Winkie with Batya, that's me)
Liora Nitzan, artist and activist
Mark Provisor, Israeli head of One Israel Fund

Phil Rosenblatt, member Committee for Gush Katif Bridal Showers
Chaim Silberstein (Chaim and Phil pictured at left) - president of Keep Jerusalem-Im Eshkachech and the Jerusalem Capital Development Fund
Yehudit Tayar, respected leader of settlement in Samaria



Anita Tucker (seen here, chatting with a friend), a founder of Gush Katif community Netzer Chazani/Ein Tzurim and soon, IY"H, Yesodot...
plus many more, including the Mayors of Kiryat Arba, Katzrin in the Golan and Nazareth Elite.
One of the recipients tonight said that the people in the audience were truly deserving of this award, and looking around me at those selfless individuals who give of themselves every day for Am Yisrael in Eretz Yisrael, I know he was correct.
There are more photos and more news about tonight's Moskowitz Prize, but it's been a long exciting day. More tomorrow, IY"H.
(Pictured, Ruthie J. Lieberman with Tony Gelbart and with Minister Uzi Landau)

Magnificent! Moskowitz Prize

Yom Yerushalayim was a gorgeous blue and white day. The clouds were perfectly puffy to accentuate their white lines against the clear blue sky. Adults and children marched and strolled through Jerusalem in white shirts and blue pants/skirts. Every hundredth teenager wore the mandatory Israeli flag draped over his shoulders.

Music filled the streets, as did excited people of all ages/cities/types. As the dancing continued at the Kotel (Western Wall) and throughout the city, the excitement level was rising down in the Shiloach Valley (Silwan).

The Third Annual Moskowitz Prize for Zionism brought together the who's-who of Zionism today (not the politicians - although there were some - but those who give of themselves above and beyond). The presence of so people who are dedicated to the betterment of Israeli society, the good of the nation, and the unity of Jerusalem and the Land of Israel created a positive electricity that could be seen and felt by all. The leaders/staff/volunteers that labor to strengthen Israel and the Jewish people. Truthfully, my lipstick wore off from kissing so many good and devoted Jews. (Women only, of course. :) I just nodded smilingly at the men.)

The evening, coordinated by Moskowitz Prize Director Ruthie Lieberman of Jaffee Strategies, was just magnificent. The atmosphere was perfect - there in the valley (in Ir David, the City of David), below the palace of Israel's ultimate King - David. The guests were the best of the best. And the honorees were people who will forever be heroes in our eyes and in our hearts.

More about the winners of the Moskowitz Prize later...but for now, just a quick word.

Leadership and Inspiration

Each of the winners of the Moskowitz Prize is a leader (true leader, not an elected leader) who has put himself forward, regardless of his personal welfare, in order to benefit the community. We pray for those kind of people every Shabbat morning (those who give wholeheartedly, and usually thanklessly, for the benefit of our nation).

And behind those people stands one woman who understands that Am Yisrael needs those kind of heroes. Am Yisrael needs people who care more about their community, their country, and the eternity of their nation than about themselves. The person who essentially realized that is Cherna Moskowitz. I had never seen her before, and when she stepped up onto the podium, I felt I was seeing a real superstar (not the Madonna kind, G-d forbid, but the Esther or Devorah type).

When the inspirational Avigdor Kahalani (a Moskowitz Prize committee member) spoke, he told the audience that all around Jerusalem, you can see the footprints of Cherna and Dr. Irving Moskowitz (until 120). Everyone cheered, because thanks to them, many Jewish homes in Eastern Jerusalem have been redeemed, and many new Jewish neighborhoods are taking their place on the landscape of our Holy City, ensuring the unity of Jerusalem.

Far-Reaching Vision

I've toured many areas in Yesha in which countless schools and preschools were made possible by Cherna Moskowitz's long vision and kind heart. I have spoken to people whose projects would never have come to fruition without the backing of the Moskowitz family.

As a member of the Jewish Nation, as a Lover of the Land of Israel, I can only thank Cherna and Dr. Irving Moskowitz and their family for realizing that Zionism has many faces, that the strengthening of the Jewish people is both one brick at a time, and one heart at a time. The Moskowitzes have the foresight to support and encourage those true leaders who inspire the hearts of the Jewish people (and the world) to step out beyond their own homes/selves/comfort to do great things for the future of our nation in our land.

To view some of VOICES-TV video clips of the Moskowitz prize, click here:

** Nahal Hareidi's got rhythm:

http://voices-magazine.com/voices-videos.php?id=136

** Moskowitz Prize musical tribute to Jerusalem - 5770

http://voices-magazine.com/voices-videos.php?id=137

** Avigdor Kahalani introduces Moskowitz Prize winners of 5770

http://voices-magazine.com/voices-videos.php?id=138