Sponsor an Oz Award

As Israel approaches its 78th Independence Day, the second Oz (Valor) Conference in Jerusalem, led by Ein Prat Academy for Leadership, will honor 78 extraordinary individuals whose resilience, courage, and deep sense of responsibility have helped carry the nation through one of its most challenging periods. Ein Prat welcomes you to take part by sponsoring the Oz Award for one of these remarkable individuals, each of whom represents a powerful story of action and leadership. Your support, a donation in the amount of $2,500, is a meaningful act of recognition, honoring their courage and ensuring that their stories, and what they stand for, continue to resonate. The following are this year’s 78 recipients of the Oz Award for Valor and Hope, selected by young Israelis in leadership programs across the country, who see in them—in their actions, dedication, and service—a powerful example and an enduring call to a life of purpose. We welcome you to learn more about them below, and to sponsor the individual whose story resonates most deeply with you. Oz Award for Valor and Courage: 2026 Honorees 1. Staff Sergeant Ari Spitz – A Givati Brigade combat soldier who was critically wounded in battle in the Gaza Strip, losing three of his limbs. Ari has transformed his injury into a mission of spreading strength and hope throughout Israeli society, and is an exemplar of the choice of life and the triumph of the human spirit over physical adversity. 2. Leah and Simcha Goldin – Parents of Lieutenant Hadar Goldin z”l, who fell during Operation Protective Edge, and whose body was held by Hamas for over a decade before being returned to Israel. Over the years, they led a determined public struggle for Hadar’s return, as well as for the return of other fallen soldiers held in Gaza, becoming a symbol of perseverance, resolve, and unwavering loyalty to their values, until all the sons were brought home. 3. Yehoshua Shani and Yaakov Nitzan – Bereaved fathers who lost their sons, Ori Shani and Gilad Nitzan z”l, in the war. Following their loss, they established Forum HaGvura, an initiative that brings together hundreds of bereaved families. Since then, they have worked to strengthen Israeli resilience and to ensure the enduring presence of the fallen’s values in public discourse. Yaakov receives the award on their behalf and on behalf of all the Forum’s families. 4. Lieutenant Colonel Or Yul – A young father from Tel Aviv and commander of the 52nd Battalion, who was seriously wounded four days ago in southern Lebanon. Yul represents the commander who leads from the front, serving as an exemplar of moral and professional leadership for his soldiers. The award is presented to him and to his wife, Inbar, on behalf of the spouses and soldiers of all armored corps battalions. We hope and pray for his swift recovery. 5. Natalie Gamliel – A mother of three and an educator from Netanya. With the outbreak of the war, she mobilized to support evacuees arriving at hotels in the city, establishing a volunteer network and attending to the families’ needs. Natalie receives the award for mutual responsibility on behalf of the volunteers who served as an anchor of support for the evacuees in their time of need. 6. Oren Smadja – A father of three, former Israeli judoka, and former head coach of Israel’s national judo team. His son, Master Sergeant (Res.) Omer z”l, fell in battle in the Gaza Strip. Shortly after sitting shiva for his son, Oren traveled to the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, where he led his athletes to Olympic medals, demonstrating extraordinary strength of spirit. Oren Smadja represents Israeli valor and pride, rising with dignity even in the face of profound crisis. 7. SNCO Tzofit Tzioni Levi – A resident of Beit Aryeh, a mother of three, and an investigations coordinator in the Israel Police’s elite national crime unit, Lahav 433. Since October 7, she has been responsible for coordinating the investigation of sexual crimes committed by Hamas terrorists, collecting testimony from survivors and returning hostages with sensitivity and dignity. Tzofit receives the award on behalf of the unit’s officers. 8. Colonel (Res.) T. – A former senior commander in the Israeli Air Force and the Strategy Directorate, who laid the foundations for operational planning in the campaign against Iran. Over the past two and a half years, he has led hundreds of strikes and intelligence-gathering sorties, culminating in the command of large-scale operations in the campaign against Iran with utmost professionalism. Col. (Res.) T. receives the award on behalf of the pilots who led the daring missions in Operations Rising Lion and Roaring Lion.  9. Professor Mas’ad Barhoum – A father of three and Director of the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya. He has led the development of the Center and expanded access to medical care for hundreds of thousands of residents, while also advancing the establishment of a medical faculty in the Galilee. Through his work, he realizes a vision of equality, service, and humanity toward one another — “Adam le’adam adam.” 10. Bat-El Assulin – A mother of five and Head of Partnerships at HaShomer HaChadash. Since the outbreak of the war, Bat-El has mobilized over 400,000 volunteers through the organization and led dozens of initiatives aimed at supporting farmers affected by the war. The award is presented to her on behalf of HaShomer HaChadash and its volunteers across the country. 11. Haggai Reznik – A resident of Revivim, a father of two, Chair of the Department and Fund for Discharged Soldiers, and Head of the Rifman Institute for the Development of the Negev. For many years, Haggai has worked with dedication to integrate the Bedouin sector and to place the Negev at the center of the national agenda. His work reflects a powerful combination of personal responsibility, national commitment, and practical Zionism. 12. Michal Barkai Brody – A Jerusalem resident, mother of three, and social activist. At the outset of the war, she founded the organization HaMitmaranot, which supports the wives of reservists and the Israeli home front, and works to amplify their voices. Michal is an exemplar of female leadership committed to the challenges of the moment. 13. Benny Biton – Mayor of Dimona since 2013. During the war, the city sustained multiple missile strikes; under his leadership, the municipality delivered a swift and professional response. Benny receives the award on behalf of the heads of local authorities across southern Israel, who remain steadfast in the face of a complex reality, in service of their residents. 14. Itamar Keha-Levi – A Jerusalem resident, social activist, and Director of the Friends of State–Haredi Education Association, advancing the integration of core curriculum studies within the Haredi education system. Despite sustained opposition, he continues to act with determination, and receives the award on behalf of those striving for integration into Israeli society and the assumption of shared responsibility. 15. Lieutenant Colonel (Res.) Rabbi Shmuel Slotki – A resident of Ein HaNatziv and father of seven, two of whom—Noam and Yishai z”l—fell in battle defending Kibbutz Alumim on October 7. Rabbi Shmuel returned to military service immediately following the shiva, and stands as an exemplar of extraordinary self-sacrifice, and of the choice of renewal and connection in the face of profound crisis. 16. Staff Sergeant Yehonatan Lipson – A squad commander in the Nahal Brigade who, following exceptional performance in battle, was appointed a platoon commander. Despite being seriously wounded at the height of preparations for his wedding, Yehonatan transformed his injury into a source of growth and insisted on returning to command his soldiers. He receives the award on behalf of non-commissioned commanders who lead from the front. 17. Agam and Meirav Berger – Residents of Holon. Agam is a survivor of captivity, an IDF lookout soldier who was abducted from the Nahal Oz outpost and released after approximately a year and a half. During her captivity, she held fast to faith as a guiding inner force, preserving her hope and identity in the depths of darkness. Since her return, she has inspired many, and receives, together with her mother, Meirav, the award in the name of faith and strength of spirit. 18. Dr. Aliza Bloch – An educator and former Mayor of Beit Shemesh. With the outbreak of the war, she relocated to northern Israel and took an active role in rehabilitating the education system in Kiryat Shmona, working directly with displaced communities. Aliza exemplifies unwavering dedication and a readiness to step forward wherever help is needed. 19. Captain Omri Akshlomo – A resident of Givatayim and a company commander in the 13th Battalion of the Golani Brigade. Upon completing the Company Commanders’ Course, he delivered an address that became emblematic, articulating the national mission entrusted to his generation. Omri receives the award on behalf of the soldiers of the Golani Brigade. 20. Yossi Landau – A resident of Ashdod, Operations Officer of ZAKA Lachish, and a volunteer with the organization for over 30 years. A father of ten, Yossi, together with four of his sons—also volunteers—responded to the difficult scenes on October 7. He receives the award for the truest acts of kindness (chesed shel emet) on behalf of ZAKA’s volunteers. 21. Colonel (Res.) Ronen Marelly – Mayor of Nahariya and a father of three. He leads the city with a deep commitment to its residents, advancing development, recovery, and the strengthening of the local community. He receives the award on behalf of the residents of Nahariya and of Israel’s northern cities, all of whom continue to face an untenable reality with tremendous courage. 22. Colonel (Res.) Nazih Dabbur – Head of the Beit Jann Local Council and a father of five. Nazih served in the IDF for approximately 30 years and led initiatives to advance Druze society, including the establishment of the Ofakim LaA’tid organization. He receives the award on behalf of members of the Druze community, who continue to embody a deep commitment to service and a shared sense of destiny. 23. Major (Res.) Golan and Yifat Krieger – Residents of Alei Zahav and parents of four. Golan commanded an armored company that advanced 120 kilometers by tank to reach the fighting in Kfar Aza. He was severely wounded in battle in Jabalia; following a brief rehabilitation, he returned to command his soldiers at the front. Alongside his bravery in combat, his wife Yifat stood with strength, faith, and unwavering resolve. Together, they receive the award in the name of self-sacrifice on behalf of reservist soldiers and their spouses. 24. Dafna Gershoni Cohen – A mother of three from Amirim and an educator who answered the call to lead the “Anne Frank” High School after it was relocated from Kibbutz Sasa to Ravid. Dafna moved with her family to the area in order to provide students with a stable framework amid a deeply unsettled reality. She receives the award for educational leadership on behalf of educators who step forward in service of their students. 25. Staff Sergeant Yuval Shoham z”l – A graduate of Ein Prat from Jerusalem and an armored corps soldier who, though he could have remained in a non-combat role, chose to serve in a tank crew and embody the fighting spirit of the Armored Corps. Yuval fell in battle in the Gaza Strip, and his legacy continues to serve as a guiding compass of values, courage, and love of the land. His mother, Oshrat, receives the award in his name. 26. Adi Chomesh and Osnat Buzaglo – The widow and mother of Major Shachar Buzaglo z”l, who fell in a heroic battle in the Gaza Strip. Adi was pregnant at the time of his death and has since given birth to their son, Ivri. Adi and Osnat receive the award on behalf of the women and mothers who gave birth after the fall of their loved ones, and who choose each day anew to honor their memory through new life. 27. Moshe Weinstein – A veteran farmer from Metula and the father of Omer z”l, also a farmer, who was killed by a rocket strike while working in the family orchards near the Lebanon border. Since his son’s death, Moshe has continued to cultivate the orchards under fire, out of a deep commitment to the land and to his family’s legacy. Moshe and Omer receive the award in the name of love of the Land and the bravery of Israel’s farmers. 28. Sarit Ohayon – A mother of five from Ofakim, she is the widow of Moshe and the mother of Eliad z”l, who fell together on the morning of October 7 while defending the city. Since her loss, Sarit has continued to develop the social and community initiatives that were their life’s work. She receives the award in the name of community engagement and resilience. 29. Major (Res.) Dr. Eyal Hayman – A father of five from Rosh Tzurim and a senior pediatrician at Shaare Zedek Medical Center. Eyal served in the reserves as commander of the medical company of Brigade 11, and during the war transitioned to serve as a physician in Unit 669. He was severely wounded during a rescue mission in Rafah, becoming a patient himself. Following a prolonged rehabilitation, he returned to his calling as a physician, and receives the award on behalf of IDF reserve doctors. 30. Chantal and Nicky Young – The parents of Netanel z”l, a lone soldier who immigrated from London to serve in the IDF and fell in battle on October 7. In the spirit of the dream their son nurtured and inspired during his life, his parents chose to make aliyah following his death. Chantal and Nicky receive the award on behalf of lone soldiers who have chosen to tie their destiny to the State of Israel. 31. Yehudit Horowitz – A mother of three and a member of the community emergency response team (Tzachi) in Moshav Yesha in the Eshkol region, she stepped forward immediately following the October 7 attacks to support bereaved families and the families of hostages in her community. At the same time, she led efforts to mobilize volunteers from across the country to sustain agricultural work—the source of livelihood, identity, and resilience for these families. Through her work, Yehudit embodies the spirit of renewal of the Gaza Envelope communities. 32. Eyal Hefer – A father of three, a founding member of Mitzpe Abirim, a farmer, and an educator. Eyal previously served as Secretary General of Bnei HaMoshavim and is among the founders of the Shnat Sherut 50 Plus initiative, the national service model through which he and his wife relocated to Nahal Oz and joined efforts to rehabilitate the kibbutz. Eyal represents the ability of every Israeli to initiate, act, and make an impact—regardless of age. 33. Rami Davidian – A father of four from Moshav Patish. On the morning of October 7, he drove in his private vehicle to the site of the Nova music festival, repeatedly entering the danger zone to rescue numerous young people and bring them to safety. Rami represents the courage of rescuers in the face of danger. 34. Omer and Naama Atidiya – Parents of seven and the founders and operators of the Einot Kedem Farm in the Jordan Valley. Omer and Naama combine the stewardship of state lands in a strategic region with an educational mission, serving as a model of Zionist leadership that strengthens both social and settlement resilience. 35. Lieutenant Colonel (Res.) Ami Levi and Lieutenant Colonel (Res.) Yariv Gamlieli – Veteran soldiers in the Combat Engineering Corps. Following their injuries, they, together with their comrades, established the “Dubi” organization, which supports soldiers of the heavy engineering equipment unit. They receive the award on behalf of the D9 operators and the heavy engineering equipment unit. 36. Yahaloma Zchut – A resident of Ofakim, founder of the city’s Resilience Center, and a social entrepreneur dedicated to connecting people and communities. Following 27 years of service in the Israeli Air Force, she established the center to support residents in coping with times of crisis. She receives the award in the name of community spirit, capable of transforming crisis into hope. 37. Zehava Neishtain – A resident of Metula, a farmer, and a fourth-generation member of the community. Zehava is an educator by profession, though during the war she chose to return to the fields and manage the family farm following her son’s call-up to reserve duty. She has not left Metula since October 7—not even for a single day. 38. Lieutenant Colonel Yarden Shukrun – A mother of three and a trailblazer as the first woman to serve as a battalion commander in the Home Front Command’s Search and Rescue Brigade. With determination and professionalism, she commanded the Shachar Battalion for two and a half years, leading it through complex missions and on the front lines. Yarden receives the award on behalf of women combat battalion commanders and the Home Front Command. 39. Eliav and Sarah Libi – Whose son, David z”l, fell in the Gaza Strip, are working to establish a settlement farm in eastern Binyamin and the Jordan Valley. Through their efforts, they embody a pioneering spirit and a deep commitment to strengthening Jewish settlement. 40. Sergeant First Class M. – An Ein Prat graduate serving in an elite unit, who was severely wounded in southern Lebanon in October 2024. After two months under sedation and on a ventilator, he began a long and complex rehabilitation process. Through his rare humility and integrity, M. embodies the self-sacrifice of a generation of soldiers. 41. Professor Itai Pesach – A resident of Ra’anana, a father of three, and Head of the Pediatric Department at Sheba Medical Center. His father fell in the Yom Kippur War, and his mother, Nirit, raised him alone with unwavering devotion. Together, Itai and Nirit represent two generations of steadfast commitment to life and to saving others. 42. Colonel R. – A former armored corps soldier who chose to return to extended reserve service, taking on a role in the Israeli Air Force to lead the operational and intelligence campaign against the Iranian regime. R. exemplifies dedication and personal sacrifice, and receives the award on behalf of those whose work remains unspoken—and to whom the nation owes an immeasurable debt. 43. Master Sergeant (Res.) On Arviv – A resident of Beit Horon, a father of five, and a kidney donor who volunteered for reserve duty in the Alon Brigade (228). He was severely wounded in Lebanon while attempting to retrieve the body of a fallen comrade from a burning building. Through his actions, On embodies courage, generosity, and determination, and receives the award on behalf of kidney donors. 44. Major Yitzhar Hofman z”l – A father of two from the community of Eshchar, he served as a commander in the Shaldag Unit and was among the heroes of the battle in Be’eri. Four months into the war, he fell in combat during an operation to expose Hamas server farms. His sister, Einav, receives the award in his name and on behalf of the entire Shaldag Unit. 45. Pamela and Abba Claman – Philanthropists from the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem who have, for many years, supported soldiers. Though they have no children of their own, their home has always remained open, serving as a source of care, an anchor, and a sense of family for tens of thousands of soldiers. 46. Colonel Hadar Shalev – The most senior officer in the Operations Directorate, who served as Head of the Operational Deployment Section on October 7. She receives the award on behalf of the personnel of the Operations Directorate, who serve with dedication and sustain the ongoing campaign. Her six children receive the award in her name. 47. Captain Ariel Abu-Tzadka – From Givat Ze’ev, she served as operations officer of the Nahal Reconnaissance Unit at the Kerem Shalom outpost on October 7. During the terrorist infiltration, Ariel directed the fighting from an improvised command center, coordinated forces, and treated the wounded; she later continued to serve as a combat officer in Gaza. She receives the award on behalf of all female operations officers in combat roles. 48. Eran “Nana” Raz – Together with his wife, he brought life to the desert, embodying a pioneering spirit while confronting ongoing security challenges in the region. Eran represents the courageous settlers along Israel’s borders, who build a thriving economy for a model society—and whom nothing can break. 49. Major Roey Chapell z”l – A company commander in the Nahal Reconnaissance Unit who led his soldiers on October 7 and fell in battle, exemplifying courage and leadership. Roi was distinguished by his deep sense of responsibility and his unwavering devotion to his soldiers and to the State. His mother, Orit, receives the award in his name, carrying forward his memory and legacy. 50. Eyal Eldar – A resident of Hoshaya, a father of five, an educator, and founder of the “Yemin Orde” Mechina. He has dedicated his life to expanding access to pre-military academies for youth from the periphery and from complicated backgrounds, guiding hundreds of young people on a path of personal growth, meaningful service, and integration into Israeli society. Eyal embodies the transformative power of education to change lives and to cultivate a generation of leaders committed to the people and the State. 51. Brigadier General (Res.) Dr. Moshe Tzofi – Head of the Department of Industrial Management at Sapir College and a lecturer at Ben-Gurion University. Moshe serves as Chief of Staff of the 252nd Reserve Division, which has been engaged in continuous combat in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the war. He receives the award together with his wife, Avishag, on behalf of all the division’s soldiers. 52. Colonel (Res.) Ran Kaminsky – A father of three from Kibbutz Ortal, a brigade commander in the Home Front Command, and director of the Adam VeAdama educational institution in the Golan. Alongside his educational work, he has long been active in strengthening northern settlement and establishing educational–agricultural campuses in the Galilee. He receives the award on behalf of educators who do not hesitate to serve in border regions, guided by a deep sense of mission and national resilience. 53. Noam Sobel and Shunit Akirav – High school students and members of the Derech Prat youth movement. Noam, from Nesher, led thousands of teenagers in emergency response and home front support efforts. Shunit, from the Golan Heights, worked on the ground daily, coordinating volunteers and responding at impact sites across the central district. They receive the award on behalf of Israel’s volunteering youth. 54. Tzvika and Efrat Mor – Residents of Kiryat Arba and parents of eight, including Eitan, who returned from Hamas captivity after two years. Throughout this difficult period, they acted with a deep commitment to national resilience, as Tzvika continued to serve in the reserves and took part in establishing the “Tikva” Forum. Tzvika and Efrat embody family resilience, faith, and a steadfast Israeli spirit. 55. Lieutenant Colonel Maoz Schwartz – A reserve battalion commander, father of five, educator, and founder of the Be’Oz HaRuach pre-military leadership academy in Ashdod, which brings together religious Zionist and Haredi youth. Maoz and his wife, Carmit, receive the award on behalf of reserve battalion commanders and their families, who bear responsibility for their soldiers and act with a profound sense of mission and leadership. 56. Raya Strauss – A business leader, social entrepreneur, and philanthropist, and one of the most prominent figures in Israeli industry. Her work reflects a multi-generational legacy and a deep, enduring commitment to Israeli society and its continued development. 57. Brigadier General (Res.) Ram Shmueli – A father of four from Kerem Maharal and a former senior officer in the Israeli Air Force. Following his military service, he chose to dedicate himself to education and social impact, from serving as Chair of HaShomer HaChadash to leading the education system in the north during the war. Through his work, he demonstrates an ongoing commitment to national security and civilian resilience. 58. Maayan Rabinovich – A mother of five daughters from Tel Aviv and a social activist who established a fund to provide economic security for reservists. While her husband was called up to serve, she too stepped forward, serving as a casualty officer. Maayan receives the award on behalf of all enlisted mothers who have chosen to serve, even without prior military experience. 59. Colonel Eyal Cohen – A father of three, former commander of Shayetet 13, and current commander of the Kfir Brigade. Under his leadership, the brigade has achieved significant operational success, placing it alongside the IDF’s veteran infantry brigades. Together with his wife, Roni, he receives the award on behalf of the soldiers and spouses of the Kfir Brigade. 60. David and Esther Allouche – Parents of five and residents of Alon. Their son, Adi z”l, initiated the Even HaPina project, through which memorial spaces are designed and created for the fallen. After Adi was killed in a tragic accident, his parents have continued his work. Esther receives, on their behalf, the award for remembrance and continuity. 61. Lieutenant Colonel (Res.) Ron Russo – From Herzliya, formerly commander of an F-15 squadron in the Israeli Air Force. Raised in Kibbutz Hulata, Ron is an exemplar of a life dedicated to serving his people and his country. He receives the award on behalf of members of the kibbutzim and the broader settlement movement—the builders of the State who have borne national responsibility across generations. 62. Sami al-Karnawi – A Bedouin entrepreneur from the Rahat area who established tourism and hospitality venues across southern Israel. During the war, he opened his hotels with remarkable generosity to displaced families. Through his actions, he exemplifies entrepreneurship, mutual responsibility, and a deep commitment to strengthening the Negev. 63. Colonel (Res.) Rabbi Uri Lipschitz – Head of the Siach Yitzchak Yeshiva and commander of Brigade 5 in the reserves. In his life’s path, he integrates Torah, leadership, and frontline command. For his soldiers, he embodies a deep commitment to both scholarship and service (“Safra v’Saifa—the book and the sword”). Uri receives the award together with his wife, Ofra. 64. Ziv Koren – A father of three and one of Israel’s leading photojournalists and documentary photographers, internationally recognized for his work. Ziv was among the first to document the scenes of October 7 and continues to cover conflict zones and IDF units. His work serves as a powerful instrument of Israel advocacy on the international stage, and he receives the award on behalf of artists who see themselves as committed to the Zionist vision. 65. Miriam Amedi – A resident of Neve Ilan, a mother of two, and CEO of the Forum of Reservists’ Wives. She leads a comprehensive support network—legal, economic, and emotional—for reservists’ spouses, and advances initiatives to support families on the home front. Through her work, she exemplifies civic leadership that gives voice and strength to the women who sustain the home front. 66. Doron Livnat – A businessman, philanthropist, and Israeli entrepreneur who has, for many years, advanced education and social development in the periphery. Through his contributions, he demonstrates a deep commitment to long-term impact and to strengthening Israeli society. 67. Adi Altschuler – A mother of three and a social entrepreneur dedicated to advancing inclusive education and equal opportunity. She founded the organizations Krembo Wings and Zikaron BaSalon, along with additional initiatives that reflect leadership, innovation, and a deep commitment to meaningful change. This year, Adi is receiving the Israel Prize for Young Leadership. 68. Beeri Davidovitz – A resident of Kibbutz Gevim and the son of Shlomi z”l, who was murdered on October 7. Beeri is the first to have celebrated a bar mitzvah in the kibbutz since the onset of the war, doing so in a deeply symbolic setting—the new synagogue established in his father’s memory. He receives the award on behalf of all children orphaned by the war, who confront loss and bereavement with courage, every day anew. 69. Naama Avraham – A mother of seven from Haspin and a social activist who leads “Mifgash BaRama,” a matchmaking initiative through which dozens of families have formed in Israel. She also manages the “Beyadayim Tovot” operations center, providing assistance to individuals across the country, and leads initiatives in support of soldiers and widows. Naama receives the award on behalf of women leaders in Israel’s periphery. 70. Dr. Esi Sharon – A mother of three from Jerusalem, a physician at Shura, and head of the police volunteer dental identification unit. Since October 7, Esi has led efforts to identify the fallen and has operated multiple times in the Gaza Strip, identifying deceased hostages. In the solace brought by certainty, and in the sacred work she and her team carry out, are embodied exceptional devotion and quiet dignity. 71. Hazel and David Brief – Residents of Modi’in and the parents of Yona z”l, a Duvdevan Unit soldier who was critically wounded on October 7 and passed away from his injuries a year later. Throughout his hospitalization, his parents, family, and friends remained by his side with unwavering devotion, surrounding him with boundless love that resonated beyond their immediate circle to the broader community, and the nation. Hazel and David receive the award in the name of family valor. 72. The Nahmad Family – Residents of Mevaseret Zion. After their son Ido sustained a severe head injury in the Gaza Strip, his parents established the “Mr. Nechmad Unit,” now comprising hundreds of volunteers active across the country. Through their efforts, they spread hope and carry forward Ido’s path of giving. They receive the award on behalf of families who choose to transform pain into a force for action. 73. Gali Nishri – From Moshav Mazor, a former combat officer and a volunteer with the national organization “Lev Echad” (One Heart). Gali leads thousands of volunteers in recovery efforts across the Gaza Envelope and, during Operation Roaring Lion, was among the first to arrive at and manage some of the most difficult impact sites. Gali clearly embodies the spirit of Lev Echad: young leadership, deep commitment, and the ability to act and lead in times of crisis. 74. Sergeant First Class (Res.) Joel Yael Lichter – A resident of Modi’in and a mother of four, three of whom serve as officers in the IDF. At the outset of the war, she joined the casualty support system and, for over 500 days, accompanied the families of hostages. She continues to support those wounded in body and spirit, assisting them in navigating their rights through the Rehabilitation Department. She receives the award on behalf of the entire casualty support system, which operates with dedication and quiet resolve alongside families and soldiers in their most difficult moments. 75. Yehuda Harel – A former Member of Knesset and recipient of the Israel Prize for Agriculture and Settlement (2018). Over the years, he has worked to strengthen settlement in the Golan Heights with a deep sense of vision and belonging to his people and homeland. His granddaughter, Noya, receives the award in his name and on behalf of the generation that helped build the State. 76. David Gur, aged 100 – A member of the underground of Zionist youth movements in Hungary, which operated to rescue Jews during the Holocaust. David is an example of a man who took part in the pivotal chapter of the Jewish people’s return to their land, and his extensive Zionist family stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Jewish-Israeli people. 77. Adina Moshe – A mother of four who was abducted from her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, after her husband, Sa’id David Moshe, was murdered. In captivity, she demonstrated resilience and leadership—supporting fellow hostages, offering reassurance and encouragement, and at times mediating with her captors at great personal risk. Following her return to Israel, Adina chose to return to her home in Nir Oz as a symbol of recovery and hope. 78. Staff Sergeant (Res.) Beinush Carlebach – A father of three from Jerusalem and a member of a well-known Haredi family. With the outbreak of the war, he chose to enlist despite having received an exemption in his youth, driven by a deep sense of responsibility and a desire to take part in the national effort. Beinush has served over 580 days of reserve duty in the Agad-Machatz unit, dedicated to honoring fallen IDF soldiers. He stands as a symbol of the courageous choice to bridge worlds and of profound self-sacrifice for the fate of the people and the State.