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Winners of the 5772, 2012 Moskowitz Prize for Zionism

Dr. Yitzhak Glick, Nitsana Darshan-Leitner and Zvi Slonim

Dr. Yitzhak Glick – Chairman of the Efrat Emergency Medical Center, attorney Nitsana Darshan-Leitner – using international law to champion the rights of Israeli victims of terrorism, and Zvi Slonim – a founder of Gush Emunim and the Ariel University Center of Samaria, are this year's recipients of the Lion of Zion Award.

The Moskowitz Prize for Zionism has announced the winners of the Lion of Zion Award, which will be presented to three Israelis who were chosen by the Prize Committee. The winners are Dr. Yitzhak Glick, attorney Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, and Mr. Zvi Slonim. The Moskowitz Prize was established by Dr. Irving and Cherna Moskowitz, as an expression of support for those fulfilling Zionism in Israeli society today, acting for the collective good, and in order to ensure the continued strength of the Jewish national home.

Hundreds of candidates were submitted to the Prize Committee, and after a lengthy process the winners were selected, individuals whose efforts reflect what is best in the Zionist endeavor, in the extremely complex Israeli reality found in the fields of social action, education and settlement. The prize, which is divided among the three winners, is $100,000.

Brig. Gen. (Res.) Avigdor Kahalani, a member of the judging committee, discussed the reasons that led to the selection of this year's winners: “Dr. Glick impressed the committee with his dream of establishing an emergency medical center in Efrat. He knew that Efrat was the most suitable and appropriate location in the area to serve as a base for such a center. He succeeded in opening the hearts and minds of critical decision-makers, and obtained the large donations needed to establish the center. His actions were those of a true trailblazer, a visionary who transformed an important idea into reality.

“Nitsana Darshan-Leitner impressed the committee with her dedication, day in and day out, to preserving the honor of Israel and to pressing the legal case against those who seek to harm it and its citizens. Her tenacity and professionalism have achieved results, including some about which we in this country are still unaware. People like Nitsana serve as a beacon for society.

“Zvi Slonim personifies the beautiful Land of Israel. He is a man who, with his own hands, has – literally and figuratively – planted the seeds that have grown into trees throughout the country. More than once, he has fought alone in the struggle to establish institutions and settlements in our Land, and with his resolute spirit persevered nonetheless. All those who have witnessed his actions over the years salute him. Having reached the age of 80, Tzvika continues to serve as a model for emulation for those following in his footsteps.

Glick, Darshan-Leitner and Slonim join the Moskowitz Prize winners of previous years: Rabbi Chanan Porat z”l, former Mossad head Meir Dagan, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Ran Pecker-Ronen, Rabbi Yoel Schwartz – founder of the IDF's Nahal Haredi, Anita Tucker – on behalf of the Gush Katif settlers, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Aharon Davidi, Moshe “Moshko” Moshkowitz – visionary and builder of Gush Etzion, Noam Arnon – founder of Midreshet Hebron and a leader of the Jewish community of Hebron, Ronit Shuker – a founder of settlement in the Shilo area, Sammy Bar-Lev, leader of settlement in the Golan Heights and a founder of the city of Katzrin, Rabbi Joshua Fass – co-founder and executive director of Nefesh B'Nefesh, and Rabbi David Fender – head of the Afikei Da'at hesder yeshiva in Sderot.

5772-2012 Lion of Zion Award Winners

Dr. Yitzhak Glick
Chairman of the Efrat Emergency Medical Center, Gush Etzion

Nitsana Darshan-Leitner
Director of Shurat HaDin – Israel Law Center

Zvi Slonim
Founder of the Gush Emunim movement