Vivian Silver, who was murdered in her home on Kibbutz Beeri during the terror attack of October 7, dedicated five decades to building bridges between people.  With a clear eye and an open heart, she created partnerships, advanced equality, and unceasingly pursued peace between Jews and Palestinians.  Silver’s path was one of authentic partnership.  She was among the founders of Kibbutz Gezer; together with Amal Alsana-Alhjooj, she led the AJEEC-Negev Institute; she was one of the initiators of Women Wage Peace, and a member of the board of directors of the New Israel Fund.  Vivian was an inclusive, engaging leader in everything she did. 

In order to ensure that her legacy of activism, persistence, and hope will continue to light the way, her family and friends have established the Vivian Silver Impact Award, in partnership with the New Israel Fund.  The prize will be awarded annually to two women – one Jewish and one Palestinian – who work in the fields that were central to Silver’s life:  establishing Arab-Jewish partnership in Israel, advancing Israeli-Palestinian peace, and advancing women to positions of leadership and decision making. 

The winners were chosen from among more than one hundred candidates by a committee of judges.  The award, and a prize of $15,000 each, will be given this year to Dr. Rula Hardal and May Pundak, the joint directors of “A Land for All.”  The committee’s choice reflects the importance of Jewish-Palestinian partnership, especially during these challenging times.  The prize will be awarded at a ceremony to be held on Thursday, November 21, at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art and will also be livestreamed.