Goldstein Prize for Jack Smorgon
The Goldstein Prize for Exceptional Leadership has been presented by Israel’s President Rivlin to Australian philanthropist and communal leader Jack Smorgon.
R-L Director General of Keren Hayesod, Greg Masel; Keren Hayesod Chairman Eliezer Sandberg, Prize recipient Jack Smorgon; President Rivlin; Honorary President of Keren Hayesod, Julia Koschitzky; Chairman of the Keren Hayesod World Board, David Koschitzky. Photo Mark Neiman GPO
Among Jack Smorgon’s wide ranging, and longstanding service to the Jewish community and for the State of Israel, he was former Chairman and President of the United Israel Appeal for Victoria, Australia, and today served as a member of the Keren Hayesod International Executive, on the Jewish Agency Board of Governors.
President Reuven Rivlin hosted the award ceremony at his residence in Jerusalem for the prize presented by the World Committee of the Keren Hayesod-United Israel Appeal.
President Rivlin congratulated Jack Smorgon saying: “Your entire life was and is devoted to public service: as a municipal leader in Melbourne, as a national leader in the area of transportation in Australia, and as a global Jewish and Zionist leader.”
Award recipient Mr. Jack Smorgon expressed his gratitude to the President and to the Keren Hayesod for their recognition, and spoke of his pride in the wide-ranging projects and initiatives the Keren Hayesod supported for the sake of Israel and Israeli society. He said, “I am humbled to be selected to receive this important award.”
The President praised the work of Keren HaYesdod, and told the attendees, “Israel was, always, and still is, a joint project of all its builders, here and abroad alike.”
