Education Minister Naftali Bennett has informed Professor Aharon Maman that he has been awarded the Israel Prize for 2009 in the category of the study of Jewish languages and literatures and the study of popular culture.
Bennett wrote on his Twitter page that "Maman is one of the greatest scholars in his field. His greatness is in breaking the boundaries of theory and a deep understanding of the languages of the Jews. He was born in Morocco, immigrated to Israel as a youth and became the venerable scholar he is today. A wonderful man."