Rivlin Gets Israel Studies Award at UCLA

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin accepted the UCLA Israel Studies Award on the evening of Feb. 18, presented by the UCLA Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for Israel Studies.

UCLA Chancellor Gene Block presented Rivlin with a sculpture designed by artist and Y&S Nazarian Center co-founder Soraya Nazarian, who attended the award ceremony with her daughter, Sharon Nazarian, also a co-founder of center. 

Accepting the award, Rivlin spoke about the inclusive work he is pursuing in Israel to bring together all of Israel’s citizens, including the Charedim and Arabs. 

“Israel is not democracy only to the Jewish people,” he said. “Israel is democracy to all its citizens, and all the people who are living along with us in Israel.”

He emphasized the importance of Jewish unity and the State of Israel’s commitment to working with Diaspora Jewry. He also highlighted how Israel has grown from a fledgling state to a global “success story. We have gone from a developing country to a world leader in innovation. But if we want to preserve this miracle, we must keep Israeli society united. There is no other way. We have to keep the whole Jewish people united.”

Expressing concern about the rise of anti-Semitism worldwide, he denounced the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel as well as the vandalism in December at Iranian Jewish congregation Nessah Synagogue in Beverly Hills. 

Rivlin appeared at UCLA during a stopover in Los Angeles. He was en route to Fiji and Australia, where he was to make his first official visit. 

Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles Hillel Newman, who was among the attendees at the UCLA ceremony, told the Journal that prior to appearing at UCLA, Rivlin met with Beverly Hills City Council members at the Waldorf Astoria.

Rivlin’s visit took place amid political uncertainty in Israel as the country prepares to hold its third election in less than a year on March 2. 

The gathering in Westwood, a tented reception at Block’s residence, began with remarks by Block and Dov Waxman, director of the Nazarian Center.

“UCLA is proud to have numerous relationships with Israeli educational and cultural institutions, and we are honored to have President Rivlin visit our campus,” Block said. “I am especially proud that the Nazarian Center is a vital presence at UCLA, helping us all understand the depth and complexity of Israel’s history, society and culture.”

Introducing Rivlin to the crowd of approximately 120 people, Waxman said Rivlin has elevated the presidential role in Israel above its traditionally symbolic status. 

“In a period when Israeli society is facing numerous challenges and Israeli democracy is under stress, President Rivlin is the leading voice in Israel calling for shared citizenship, social inclusion, civil discourse and respect for democratic norms,” Waxman said.

Many leaders from the local Jewish community turned out, including Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles CEO Jay Sanderson, husband-and-wife philanthropists Naty and Debbie Saidoff, UCLA professor Judea Pearl, American Jewish Committee Los Angeles Director Richard Hirschhaut, Los Angeles City Controller Ron Galperin, UCLA Hillel Executive Director Rabbi Aaron Lerner, attorney Sam Yebri, UCLA senior Justin Feldman and Journal contributor Tom Teicholz. 

The program included a screening of a short film produced by the Israeli government. 

Rivlin, a lawyer by training, has served as president of the State of Israel since 2014. He also has served as the Speaker of the Knesset and as a Cabinet minister. 

He is the third individual to receive the UCLA Israel Studies Award, which “recognizes individuals of extraordinary character and merit in their chosen fields,” according to a UCLA statement. Previous recipients of the award are former Chief Justice to Israel’s Supreme Court Aharon Barak and the late Israeli author Amos Oz.