Bezalel Academy Honors Grossman, Aharish, Fadia, and Turner with Highest Distinction

The Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem is celebrating its 120th anniversary in 2026 by awarding its highest honor, the Yakir Bezalel distinction, to four prominent figures from diverse fields of Israeli society. The award ceremony will take place on Monday, July 27, 2026, at the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Auditorium in central Jerusalem. This honor, equivalent to an honorary doctorate, recognizes individuals for their unique contributions to Bezalel, Israeli society, and the advancement of art, design, and culture in Israel and worldwide.

The recipients include acclaimed author David Grossman, journalist Lucy Aharish, Professor Haviva Fadia, and Professor Mike Turner. Grossman, a recipient of the Israel Prize for Literature and the Man Booker International Prize, is recognized for his profound literary work that addresses both individual inner worlds and complex societal realities, alongside his long-standing civic commitment to equality, human dignity, and democracy.

Lucy Aharish, the first Arab-Muslim news presenter on Israeli television, is honored for her courageous and distinctive journalism and her consistent call for Jewish-Arab partnership and unity amid rising polarization. She remains a central voice advocating dialogue between communities and cultures in Israel.

Professor Haviva Fadia, a poet, writer, and leading scholar of Kabbalah and Hasidism, is awarded for her creative and scholarly work that bridges tradition and innovation, enriching Hebrew culture with deep intellectual and spiritual insights and expanding recognition of Mizrahi Jewish heritage.

Professor Mike Turner, a pioneer in heritage preservation in Israel and head of the UNESCO Chair for Urban Design and Conservation Studies at Bezalel, is recognized for his lifelong architectural, academic, and public contributions. He played a key role in securing Israel’s first World Heritage Sites, including Masada, Acre, and Tel Aviv’s White City, and for fostering regional cooperation and training future architects and planners.

These four join a distinguished list of Bezalel honorees who have shaped Israeli culture over the academy’s 120-year history.