Yosef Lutenberg
Yosef LutenbergYoav Elitzur

The Moskowitz Prize for Zionism announced on Friday the recipients of the "Lion of Zion" award, which will be awarded to two residents of the State of Israel chosen by the prize committee.

This year's award sought to celebrate the generation of 1948 who fought for the establishment of a Zionist state alongside the generation of 2018 who also fought on various fronts. Two winners representing both generations were selected from a list of hundreds of candidates:

Yosef Lutenberg, who joined the Palmach in 1945 and took part in battles in the Harel Brigade, was seriously wounded but continued to work for the State of Israel. He is currently a member of the Dor HaPalmach organization and one of the founders of the organization's museum in Tel Aviv. In the past, he served as chairman of the IDF Disabled Veterans Organization. He lost his son Eitan during the Yom Kippur War and today is a key activist in Yad Labanim.

Avichai Yaakov, director of the Tamir pre-military mechina in Katzrin, was chosen to represent the Zionist endeavor of recent years. Avichai was awarded a medal of honor for his part in the Battle of Bint Jbeil. He received the high medal with his commander, who was killed in the same battle, Major Roi Klein.

In his current position he leads the mechina students, most of whom come from outlying areas of Israel, towards personal empowerment and integration into Israeli society as leaders.

The Moskowitz Prize for Zionism, established by Irving and Cherna Moskowitz, is given for activity in realization of Zionism. The Prize has been granted every year since 2008.

Due to great demand, this year's ceremony, which will be held on the 23rd of Iyar, will take place in Emek Tzurim, where 2,000 people will participate. This year’s ceremony will include a performance by Jewish music superstar Avraham Fried.

Dr. Irving Moskowitz, one of American Jewry's leading philanthropists, passed away two years ago at the age of 88.

A passionate and lifelong support of Israel, Moskowitz, together with his wife Cherna, founded and led the Moskowitz Foundation in 1968, which supported countless initiatives in Israel and across the Jewish world.

Dr. Moskowitz was a particularly ardent supporter of Jewish communities in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem, aiding countless projects to reclaim Jewish land stolen by Arabs during the early 20th century.

(Arutz Sheva’s North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Arutz Sheva articles, however, is Israeli time.)