Above: Prof. Alean Al-Krenawi, President of Achva Academic College speaks at the ceremony, while Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish (far right) looks on.
Six BGU students were among those who received The Daughters for Life Awards from Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish late last week in a moving ceremony in Jerusalem. The Daughters For Life Foundation is a Canadian philanthropic organization that provides awards and scholarships to young women in their final year of studies at universities in the Middle East. The Daughters for Life Award granted by the foundation recognizes female students who have overcome hardship and made an outstanding contribution to the improvement of the lives of girls and young women.
This award is presented in memory of Bessan, Mayar and Aya, the three daughters of Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, President of the Foundation, who were tragically killed on January 16, 2009, when an IDF tank shell hit their home in the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza during the waning days of Operation Cast Lead.
The Foundation seeks to perpetuate their love of life and learning and their hopes and dreams for an educated future, as agents of change in the journey towards peace.
Attendees at the ceremony included Dr. Abuelaish, Premier of Ontario Kathleen Wayne, President of York University Dr. Mamdouh Shoukri, Minister of Health of the Province of Ontario Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Research and Innovation of the Province of Ontario Reza Moridi, Prof. Alean Al-Krenawi, President of Achva Academic College and Prof. Steve Rosen, BGU’s Vice-President for External Affairs.
Prof. Steve Rosen said at the ceremony, “It is an honor for me to be able to address you, receiving the Daughters for Life Awards, this affirmation of life after deep tragedy. I am granted the privilege here of seeing righteousness, of seeing humanity, of seeing hope. You are students at the university where I have worked for almost 30 years – it is to our credit at Ben-Gurion University that we should have students like you, and that we should have programs and activities which attract students like you. Your dedication to our imperfect society, giving of yourselves beyond personal needs, beyond instant gratification, and beyond any expectation of reward or gain, is an inspiration.”
Speaking directly to Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish he added, “Dr Abuelaish, please permit me to thank you as well for acknowledging these young women and for setting us all an example, insisting on hope for the people of our sad region.”
This year’s BGU recipients of the Daughters for Life Award are:
Mirit Aviram, of Raananah, a third year student at the Dept. of Social Work. Mirit volunteers at Beterem: National Center for Children's Safety and Health.
Huda Azbarga, of the Bedouin town of Hura, a third year student at the Dept. of Social Work. Huda mentors children as a volunteer (Perach).
Kahmaran Alamor, of the Bedouin town Kseife, is a third year student at the Dept. of Foreign Literature and Linguistics. She mentors children as a volunteer (Perach).
Michal Domar, of Beer-Sheva, is a third year student at the Depts. of Education and Foreign Literature and Linguistics. She mentors children as a volunteer (Perach).
Arava Atawna, of the Bedouin town Hura, graduated Hebrew Literature and Middle East Studies and is now studying towards her teaching degree. She volunteers at a local community center.
Avia Bruria Shana, of Beer-Sheva is in her third year at the Dept. of Social Work. She mentors children as a volunteer (Perach).
