Begin Center Announces 2026 Begin Prize Laureates for Public Leadership
Prof. Miriam Adelson, Miriam Amadi, Yoram Aridor, and Forum Tekuma have been named the 2026 Begin Prize laureates for their exceptional contributions to Israeli society.
Prof. Miriam Adelson, Reservist Wives Forum CEO Miriam Amadi, former Finance Minister Yoram Aridor, and Forum Tekuma are the 2026 Begin Prize laureates, the Begin Heritage Center board announced in Jerusalem. The prestigious award, presented for the 26th consecutive year, recognizes extraordinary contributions to the State of Israel and the Jewish people. The official ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Begin Heritage Center on Tuesday, December 8, 2026, corresponding to the 25th of Kislev and the fifth night of Hanukkah.
Prof. Miriam Adelson, publisher of Israel Hayom, a physician and philanthropist, has dedicated decades to combating substance abuse. In 1993, she established a specialized drug treatment and research clinic in Tel Aviv and, alongside her late husband Sheldon Adelson, has generously supported educational, cultural, research, and medical institutions in Israel and worldwide, including Taglit-Birthright Israel and the medical school bearing her name at Ariel University. Adelson remains a prominent advocate for strengthening Jewish identity and combating antisemitism globally.
The award committee commended Adelson for embodying personal responsibility, leadership, and deep dedication. Her extensive public impact seamlessly merges practical Zionism with wide-ranging international influence, cementing her status as a leading figure who strengthens Israeli society and promotes national commitment. Parallel to this, Miriam Amadi, social activist and CEO of the Reservist Wives Forum, has spearheaded the public campaign for the rights of reservists' families since the outbreak of the Iron Swords war, achieving vital legal and social protections for thousands of women.
Former Finance Minister Yoram Aridor was honored for his long-standing public service and his pivotal role in reshaping Israel's economy during the Begin governments, transitioning the nation from a centralized socialist model to a modern, free-market economy based on initiative and competition. Meanwhile, Forum Tekuma, operated by educators, legal professionals, and rabbis, was recognized for its uncompromising fight against sexual misconduct by authority figures in the religious sector, establishing rigorous ethical standards and offering a safe haven for victims.
