Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin honored during visit to campus
The Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for Israel Studies presented its UCLA Israel Studies Award to the President of Israel, Reuven Rivlin. The award was conferred on Rivlin in recognition of his leadership celebrating the diversity of Israeli society and promoting inclusiveness, tolerance and understanding.
The award was presented by UCLA Chancellor Gene Block during a ceremony held Feb. 18. Soraya Nazarian, co-founder of the Nazarian Center for Israel Studies, and Sharon Nazarian, chair of the center’s community advisory board, joined in bestowing this honor in front of invited guests at the Chancellor’s residence. The center, which is part of the UCLA International Institute, promotes the study of modern Israel at UCLA and beyond.
“President Rivlin has worked tirelessly to strengthen the unity of Israeli society while giving respect to every distinct group within it,” said Dov Waxman, director of the Nazarian Center for Israel Studies and holder of the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation Endowed Chair in Israel Studies. “He has celebrated the mosaic of Israeli society and championed the values of coexistence, tolerance, equality and civility — and he’s done so because of his firm commitment to ensuring Israel’s future as a Jewish and democratic state.”