Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Ben-Gurion Negev Award

The Ben-Gurion Negev Award is given to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the Negev, fulfilling David Ben-Gurion’s vision.

2018

Joe Moustaki

Israel

Musician

Photo: Courtesy

Joe Moustaki is a gifted artist, proud native of Beer-Sheva and venerated pioneer of Israeli folk music.

He devotes wholeheartedly his talents, energy and time to educating future generations and to bringing the gift of music to children and youth from all walks of society, establishing singing groups and producing a prodigious range of musical programs.

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2017

Prof. Amos Richmond

Israel

Founder of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Photo: Courtesy

Prof. Amos Richmond is a founder of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and the founder and former director of the Institute for Desert Research at Sde Boker which became the Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research. He also established the Algal Biotechnology Research Laboratory and was the first dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences. He is a recipient of the Ben-Gurion Prize.

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2016

Naama Elsana

Israel

Activist

Photo: Courtesy

Naama Elsana has made strident efforts to promote gender equality and to empower women in Bedouin society. Elsana is one of the founders of the Lakiya Association for Improvement of Women's Status and of the Bedouin Tourism Forum, and heads the Desert Embroidery Project, which offers women employment and a way to express themselves, develop leadership and improve their status.

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Acceptance speech in H ebrew

2015

Dodik Shoshani

Israel

Former Head of the Authority on Bedouin Advancement

Photo: Courtesy

Dodik Shoshani is a kibbutz member and one of the pillars of Kibbutz Lahav, who first headed the government's Authority on Bedouin Advancement. He has worked tirelessly for amicable relations between Negev residents and dedicated his life to reducing social gaps, promoting higher education, particularly among Bedouin women, and instilling trust and peace between all human beings.

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2014

Shoshana Agagani

Israel

Chairperson of the REEM Volunteers Association

Photo: Courtesy

Shoshana Agagani is an exceptional woman who has worked tirelessly on behalf of the welfare of the Negev's residents. Her extensive volunteerism and selfless devotion to all those in need, including the mentally disabled, singles, families, and children, stems from a sincere desire to facilitate their integration into the community. She is the chairperson of the REEM volunteers association, working tirelessly to raise awareness of social issues and strengthen social cohesion in the south. She has significantly contributed to the enhancement of the quality of life in the region, in her long-term role as director of the Beer-Sheva municipality's community services department and through her profound commitment to the advancement and flourishing of the Negev, promoting the personal and social prosperity of all its inhabitants.

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the ceremony

2013

Alona Barkat

Israel

Businesswoman and Chairwoman of HaPoel Beer-Sheva

Photo: Eyal Toueg

Alona Barkat is a visionary businesswoman who brought her skills, time and energy to the world of football and led the local team to excellence and remarkable achievements, making it a source of pride for the residents of the Negev. She fosters a future generation of Israeli sportsmen and promotes community involvement while working to reduce violence in the sport. She is committed to improving the image of the State of Israel and strengthening ties between Israel and Diaspora Jews. She is a dedicated supporter of social and educational initiatives, providing new opportunities for young people to the benefit of Israeli society as a whole.

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2012

Dr. Orna Berry

Israel

Corporate Vice-President and General Manager of EMC’s Center of Excellence in Israel

Photo: Sivan Faraj

Dr. Orna Berry is Corporate VP and General Manager of EMC's center of excellence in Israel and was responsible for EMC's decision to open an R&D Center in Beer-Sheva. She saw the potential of the Negev for Israel and BGU's central role long before others. She saw, and in contrast to others who might also have seen, she also went and realized that potential. A pioneering entrepreneur in the field of hi-tech who made her mark on the fledgling industry and flourished alongside it, an inspiring career woman who has held key positions in leading companies, who demonstrated courage and ingenuity and became a central figure in the world of venture capital funds and whose activities considerably advanced the hi-tech industry in Israel. Berry is a role model of excellence and leadership at the highest level in technology, in her capacity as Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor and as Chairperson of the Israel Venture Association.

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2011

Nissim Alcheh

Israel

Musician and Conductor

Photo: Eyal Toag

Nissim Alcheh is a talented musician and conductor who has dedicated his life to developing music in Beer-Sheva and the Negev. A dedicated teacher and educator, he has nurtured generations of young students, promoted musical education and established many choirs and orchestras. He was the founder and esteemed conductor of the Beer-Sheva Chamber Orchestra, which became the Israel Sinfonietta Beer-Sheva, and the Beer-Sheva wind-instrument orchestra, named in his honor, which has represented the city and country on stages around the world. Alcheh is one of founders of the Municipal Conservatory, and his love of music led him to help establish similar centers in Netivot, Yeruham and Ofakim, and in so doing bring music to the hearts of the Negev communities.

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2010

Yehudit Mayer

Israel

Artist

Photo: Courtesy

Yehudit Mayer is an exceptional artist who imbues each and every sculpture, vessel and wall relief that emerges from beneath her hands with unique qualities. A talented sculptor, her works meld primal scenes of the Negev with human experience, her inspiration, drawn from its soil, is reflected in all her creations and whose works are displayed in exhibitions in Israel and abroad. She is one of the founders of the Artists’ House in the Negev in Beer-Sheva where she serves as curator and a member of the board. Mayer is a “Worthy Citizen of Beer-Sheva,” a long-time committee member of the Friends of the Negev Museum and one of the founders of the Joe Alon Center – The Museum of Bedouin Culture.

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1995-2009

» Dr. Yoram Singer (2009)

» Brig. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Terner (2008)

» Shmuel M.Rifman (2007)

» The Dalai Lama of Tibet (2006)

» Kai-Uwe Ricke (2006)

» Eliyahu Levant (2005)

» Menachem Perlmutter (2005)

» Moshe Olenik (2005)

» Dr. Viola Török (2005)

» Prof. Erich Hecker (2003)

» Dr. Chaim Huber (2003)

» Sara Tadmor (2003)

» Herbert A. Thaler (2003)

» Amb. Martin S. Indyk (2001)

» Prof. Dr. Rita Suessmuth (1995)

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Ben-Gurion Negev Award

2018

Joe Moustaki

Israel

Musician

Photo: Courtesy

2017

Prof. Amos Richmond

Israel

Founder of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Photo: Courtesy

2016

Naama Elsana

Israel

Activist

Photo: Courtesy

2015

Dodik Shoshani

Israel

Former Head of the Authority on Bedouin Advancement

Photo: Courtesy

2014

Shoshana Agagani

Israel

Chairperson of the REEM Volunteers Association

Photo: Courtesy

2013

Alona Barkat

Israel

Businesswoman and Chairwoman of HaPoel Beer-Sheva

Photo: Eyal Toueg

2012

Dr. Orna Berry

Israel

Corporate Vice-President and General Manager of EMC’s Center of Excellence in Israel

Photo: Sivan Faraj

2011

Nissim Alcheh

Israel

Musician and Conductor

Photo: Eyal Toag

2010

Yehudit Mayer

Israel

Artist

Photo: Courtesy