Presented at a State ceremony, the Israel Prize (Pras Yisrael) award ceremony is the occasion that closes the Independence Day events each year. The entire leadership of the country comes to pay their respects to the winners of this, the most official prize awarded by the State. Adding extra significance to the award this year, is the presentation on the occasion of Israel’s 60th Anniversary

Minister of Education Prof. Yuli Tamir informed EMUNAH Israel Chairperson, Liora Minka, of the selection of EMUNAH as a recipient of the award. “It is a tremendous source of pride to our organization which has been on the forefront of meeting the needs of the Israeli people for over 70 years,” said Minka. “EMUNAH’s activities center on education and social welfare, strengthening the family unit, and cultural and chesed programs, but our role goes further. We respond immediately to any emergency, any crisis, facing the Israeli people.”

Three major women’s organizations; EMUNAH, WIZO and Na’amat, are being given awards this year. All three organizations are being lauded for working together in their common goals of advancing social, cultural and educational issues.

Over 10,000 children from all walks of life are cared for and educated in EMUNAH’s educational network, which includes 135 day care centers and multi-purpose day care centers, 5 children’s residential homes, crises and emergency centers for children at immediate risk, 6 high schools, the EMUNAH College of Art & Technology, 13 family Counseling Centers (with the last recently opened in Sderot), Batei Midrash and Community Centers for women’s issues.