Bonei Zion Prize Highlights New Olim as Israel Rebuilds After October 7 Conflict

The 12th annual Nefesh B'Nefesh Sylvan Adams Bonei Zion Prize honored eight Olim from English-speaking countries for achievements across science, education, social welfare, sport and diplomacy. Highlights include Danielle Abraham, a London-born Olah who founded ReGrow Israel to restore Gaza-border farms devastated on October 7; Naomi Stuchiner, founder of Beit Issie Shapiro, a leading disability services organization; Rabbanit Chana Henkin, chancellor of Nishmat, a premier women’s Torah institute; Dr. Philip Klipstein, senior principal scientist at SemiConductor Devices; Ami Baran, president of the Israel Athletics Association; Barak Swarttz, creator of GRIT for Good; Prof. Marta Weinstock-Rosin, neuropharmacologist behind the Alzheimer’s drug Exelon; and former ambassador Ron Dermer, recognized for his role in the Abraham Accords.

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Nefesh B'Nefesh reported that more than 1,100 North American Olim arrived in August—a monthly record—bringing the cumulative total to roughly 2,700 by month’s end and projecting over 4,000 by year’s end. About 650 of this summer’s newcomers settled in Israel’s peripheral north and south regions, the areas most damaged by the October 7 attacks. The organization, in partnership with the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration, the Jewish Agency, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael and Jewish National Fund-USA, cites a 90 % retention rate among the nearly 100,000 North American Olim it has assisted.

The Jerusalem Post

Sylvan Adams, president of the World Jewish Congress Israel Region, said the honorees embody the resilience and contribution of Jewish communities worldwide after a year of immense challenges. Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, Nefesh B'Nefesh co-founder and executive director, described the prize recipients as living embodiments of the vitality that Aliyah brings to the state. Marc Rosenberg, Nefesh B'Nefesh vice-president of Diaspora partnerships, emphasized that the growing Aliyah trend reflects a pull of family, values and community rather than push factors from North America.

The Jerusalem Post

• “In the wake of the immense challenges Israel and Jewish communities around the world have faced over the past year, these stories of commitment, resilience, and contribution carry even greater meaning,” — Nefesh Sylvan Adams, co-founder and executive

The Jerusalem Post

• “Each of this year's recipients exemplifies the values of dedication, innovation, and Zionism, and together they are a living embodiment of the vitality and strength that Aliyah continues to bring to the State of Israel,” — Rabbi Yehoshua Fass, Nefesh B'Nefesh co-founder and executive director

The Jerusalem Post