Honorary Doctorate Conferment Ceremony 2024

Honorary Doctorate Conferment Ceremony 2024

This year Bar-Ilan University will award honorary doctorates to singer and songwriter Aviv Geffen, journalist Dr. Ilana Dayan, former MK Haim Jelin, researcher Prof. Haim Cedar, Rabbi Eliyahu Blumenzweig, philanthropist Rosa Feldman, and the Brothers for Life Organization.

The 2024 honorary doctorate ceremony will recognize individuals and an organization that have positively impacted society, culture, science, education, and philanthropy in Israel and abroad. The ceremony will take place on Monday, June 3, 2024, at 7:30 PM in the Dahan Family Unity Park on the north campus of Bar-Ilan University.

Registration is required.

The recipients of this year’s honorary doctorate are:

Singer and songwriter Aviv Geffen, in recognition of his unique contribution to Israeli music and culture, for his determination to harness his talent to tear down walls and find common ground even amidst conflict, to use his voice to make an impact on the stage and far beyond, and on Israeli society as a whole.

Media personality Dr. Ilana Dayan in appreciation of her journalistic work: for laying the foundation for investigative journalism in Israel that is cast with incisive and resolute integrity for the public's right to know; for creating clear-cut journalism that polishes the prevailing moral standards and positively influences Israeli society.

Former MK and head of the Eshkol Regional Council Haim Jelin will receive the degree in acknowledgment of his determination and courage, heroism, and resilience; for his practical Zionism and that of the Gaza envelope community, which influences our past, present, and future as a people and a nation; for the strong vision and spirit with which he and his friends,  fellow  residents of the Gaza envelope, began the arduous work of rehabilitating and shaping the revival of the western Negev and the State of Israel as a whole after October 7, 2023.

Researcher Prof. Haim Cedar will receive the degree in honor of his scientific work in the field of genetics and immense contribution to science and humanity in discovering the mechanisms underlying our existence and paving the way for everything that is emerging at the forefront of medicine today and in the future; for positioning generations of Israeli researchers in his image: diligent, meticulous and collaborative, curious, critical, and patient; for the Zionistic choice to build this magnificent and influential scientific culture in Israel, and from here to bring his teachings to the world."

Rabbi Eliyahu Blumenzweig will receive the degree in celebration of his life work in teaching: For educating and nurturing Torah scholars guided by wisdom and love of Torah, Zionism, and mutual responsibility; for creating connections among the Jewish people and actively engaging in initiatives that promote peace, compromise, and dialogue among us; for leadership and cultivating leaders whose commitment to the Jewish people and Israeli society is deeply rooted in them, and whose influence is evident from generation to generation.

Philanthropist Rosa Feldman will receive the degree in appreciation of her ongoing contribution to Israeli academia and her unwavering support of students, researchers, and academic initiatives over several decades. She is also being honored for being an an inspiration and an example of commitment and dedication to Judaism, family values, the State of Israel, and the Jewish people.

The Brothers for Life Organization will receive the degree in honor of the brotherhood of soldiers who have harnessed their influence to create ripples of impact -- wounded fighters for wounded fighters: For the sacrifice and courage with which they accompany the injured through rehabilitation, fulfillment, and leadership, passing on strength to fellow combat warriors also injured while defending the State of Israel. For propagating love and deepening the partnership of destiny that binds the Jewish people in Israel and the Diaspora."

The honorary doctorates will be awarded at a gala ceremony on campus on Monday, June 3, 2024.