Impacting Society
BIU’s Yael Sherer and Dr. Simcha Gathon to light torches on Israeli Independence Day
Congratulations to Yael Sherer and Dr. Simcha Gathon of Bar-Ilan University, who were chosen to light torches at this year’s Israel Independence Day ceremonies. Social activist Yael Sherer, currently a graduate student in Health Systems Management at BIU’s Faculty of Social Sciences, is the founder of the Lobby to Combat Sexual Violence. Sherer is a journalist, filmmaker, and writer, who has been involved in human rights for many years and is known chiefly for her work on behalf of victims of sexual abuse.
Dr. Simcha Gathon is director of the Center for the Legacy of Ethiopian Jewry, a founder of “Elem – Youth in Distress”, a prominent activist on behalf of the Ethiopian community in Israel, and a lecturer in BIU’s Faculty of Education, who teaches a course in non-formal education. Last year, much attention was directed to her daughter, Shaked Gathon, who stood next to the Speaker of the Knesset at the torch-lighting ceremony. This year her mother will light a torch in recognition of her public activities.