Human Rights Awards Dinner


NIF UK held its 2nd Human Rights Awards Dinner on 2nd December at Millennium Hotel, Mayfair, London. Some 280 guests honoured three Israeli Human Rights activists who won this year’s prize for outstanding achievements in the field of Religion, Racial Equality and Women’s Rights.

Rabbi Shay Piron won in the category of Religion. Rabbi Piron works within mainstream Orthodoxy, and is one of the founders and leaders of Tsohar, aiming to make religion more accessible to those seeking an alternative connection with Judaism within halacha. His revolutionary contribution is his emphasis on teaching Judaism from its moral and social aspects, rather than focusing on religious practice. He teaches his students to be sensitive to their society, to include and respect the other, whether a person has a disability, or is of a different race or background. He teaches that equality and human rights are integral to religious Judaism, to daily life, to self-realisation and the success of society.

Aida Touma-Sliman won in the category of Race for her untiring activism for racial equality. Aida was a leading member of the committee that wrote the “Future Vision for Palestinian Arabs in Israel.” For the first time, Israeli Arab leadership discussed their vision of a just and equal society in Israel covering infrastructure, planning, education, health, development, culture and other topics. Aida integrates national rights, women’s rights and human rights for Israel’s Palestinian citizens, educating Palestinian society and the broader Israeli society about issues of personal status, employment opportunities, health care needs and the rights of women. She also co-founded and directs “Women Against Violence”, which has grown to provide a wide range of services for battered Arab women and young women in distress.

 
Professor Alice Shalvi won in the category of Gender for her lifetime entrepreneurship for gender equality. Alice is a long-time feminist and activist on women’s issues, and was a social entrepreneur before the term was coined. She served for 15 years as the founding Chair of the Israel Women’s Network, during which it became Israel’s major advocacy group on women’s issues. Alice has educated and inspired generations of young women to assert their right to realise their full potential in every aspect of life – personal, professional and religious. Men and women of all ages and backgrounds turn to her for wisdom, encouragement and insight into creating a more just and equal Israeli society.