Honorary Degree Recipients 2026

In recognition of her exceptional medical and human leadership, and of her many years of advancing pediatric medicine in Israel, driven by a profound commitment to excellence, innovation, and the well-being of her patients and their families. Through a rare combination of broad vision, outstanding managerial abilities, sensitivity, and unwavering dedication to children in need of medical care, Prof. Bron-Harlev has established herself as one of the leading and most influential figures in Israel’s healthcare system.

As Director of the Schneider Children's Medical Center since 2020, Prof. Bron-Harlev has led significant processes that have established the hospital's standing as a leading institution in its field. Under her leadership, research and technology have progressed, innovative services have been created, and care approaches have been introduced that recognize children and their families as an integral part of the medical process.

In recognition of her groundbreaking leadership in the aftermath of the October 7th attacks, during which she initiated and established a dedicated center for mothers and children returning from captivity, guided by a profound understanding of their physical and emotional needs. Through this initiative, she developed innovative models for the treatment of extreme trauma, earning widespread recognition and becoming a symbol of compassion, responsibility, and effective action in times of profound national crisis.

And in Tribute to her enduring commitment to advancing high-quality, accessible, and humane public healthcare, and for her contribution to Israeli society through leadership that combines professional excellence, public responsibility, and a profound belief in the power of healthcare to transform lives.

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to strengthening Israel’s economy, developing its capital market and advancing public and social initiatives with enduring impact. Throughout his years of activity, Yitzhak Isaac Devash has established himself as a leader, both in business and society, guided by a broad vision that regards Israel’s economic strength as inseparable from strengthening society and advancing public responsibility. As an entrepreneur and an investment banker and a key participant in the fields of investments and of mergers and acquisitions over many years, he had a central role in major economic processes that helped shape Israel's modern economy. His involvement in planning and implementing structural reforms contributed to improving the allocation of capital and credit to the government, businesses, and households, reducing systemic risk and strengthening the stability of Israel’s capital market. His professional work is marked by a combination of strategic vision and a deep understanding of the needs of both the economy and society. 

In recognition of his longstanding commitment to strengthening Israel’s public sector through the development of its human capital. As the founder of the national program Atudot Le’Israel, he has worked to nurture and cultivate the next generation of professional leadership in public service, and to strengthen managerial culture and values in state institutions. As the founder of the Leadership in Academia program and as an active member on its steering committee, he has also contributed significantly to the advancement of higher education in Israel and the development of exceptional and impactful academic leadership. 

And in tribute to his steadfast commitment to uniting business excellence with social and public responsibility, and his belief in the power of knowledge, education, and professional leadership to strengthen Israeli society, advance social mobility, and help shape a future of stability, equal opportunities, and growth.

In recognition of his longstanding contribution to Israel’s public healthcare system, and for his dedicated service as a physician, administrator, and public leader committed to the values of medicine, public service, and human dignity. Throughout his distinguished career, Prof. Zarka has emerged as a medical leader of broad vision, exceptional managerial ability, and unwavering devotion to the health and well-being of Israel’s citizens; in particular, to the residents of Israel’s northern communities.

As Director of Rivka Ziv Medical Center in Tzfat, Prof. Zarka led processes of professional growth and advanced the hospital’s standing as a leading medical institution in northern Israel. Under his leadership, initiatives in medical innovation were promoted, patient care was enhanced, and advanced medical solutions were developed for diverse populations, all while confronting the unique challenges of the periphery, heavy operational pressures, and security emergencies.

In recognition of his service as head of the Magen Israel national task force during the COVID-19 pandemic, in which he played a central role in the national response to one of the most severe public health crises in Israel’s history. In this capacity, he acted with profound public responsibility, leading complex efforts to manage crises, strengthen public trust, and guide healthcare systems through periods of uncertainty with professionalism, transparency, and resolute decision-making.

And in tribute to his deep commitment to the values of the sanctity of life, tolerance, and partnership between the diverse communities of Israeli society. Through his public service and medical leadership, he has strengthened trust between sectors, promoted a spirit of shared responsibility, and built bridges between varied populations, guided by the belief that medicine is a profoundly human endeavor that connects people.

In recognition of her exceptional academic, legal and social contributions in the fields of family law, women’s rights and human rights, and for being one of the most influential and groundbreaking voices in the legal sphere in Israel and throughout the world. Through her work, Prof. Ruth Halperin-Kaddari has earned distinction as a researcher, lawyer, and public figure who combines academic excellence with far-reaching social activism.

As founder and head of the Ruth and Emanuel Rackman Center for the Advancement of Women's Status at Bar-Ilan University, she led pioneering initiatives that integrated academic research, public advocacy, and policymaking. Within this framework she worked to promote gender equality, raise awareness of violence and discrimination against women, and develop public and legal discourse on issues of social justice and human rights.

In recognition of her extensive service as a member and Vice-Chair of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. In this role, she contributed to the development of international norms in the fields of equality and justice, and worked with determination to advance women’s rights worldwide, while addressing contemporary social, legal, and technological challenges.

And in tribute to her initiative in founding the Dinah Project following the events of October 7th, with the aim of increasing global public awareness of the sexual crimes committed during the war. Through this initiative, she acted with courage and determination to amplify the voices of victims, bring the extent of these atrocities into public consciousness, and establish a moral, public, and legal framework for confronting such injustices.

In recognition of his exceptional achievements as one of the greatest pianists and conductors of our generation, and his immense contribution to the global classical music landscape. Throughout an impressive artistic career spanning many years, Maestro Murray Moshe Perahia has earned worldwide acclaim for his distinctive musical interpretation, characterized by rare emotional depth, artistic precision and profound dedication to the traditions of classical music. His artistic work succeeds in uniting tradition with innovation, and musical intellect with deep human sensitivity. His performances on the world's leading stages, together with collaborations with foremost orchestras and conductors, have earned him professional recognition and numerous prestigious awards. 

In recognition of his longstanding commitment to the advancement of music in Israel; in particular, his role as President of the Jerusalem Music Centre, which nurtures outstanding young musicians from across the country regardless of their social background or financial circumstances. Through this work, he has contributed to cultivating the next generation of Israeli musicians, promoting artistic excellence and opening new horizons for exceptionally talented young people.

And in tribute to his enduring contribution to making classical music accessible to diverse audiences across countries and cultures, and for serving as a source of inspiration to generations of artists, students, and music lovers around the world. His work reflects a deep devotion to culture, excellence, and the belief in the power of art to create meaningful and moving human connections.

In recognition of her pioneering and innovative contributions to Hebrew literature, and for emerging as one of the most original, daring, and important voices in Israeli culture. Through her literary work, Orly Castel-Bloom has forged a unique and uncompromising voice that has expanded the boundaries of language, style, and imagination in contemporary Israeli literature. Her groundbreaking writing offers a sharp, critical, and at times subversive perspective on Israeli society, its institutions, interpersonal relationships, and human experiences within a complex and ever-changing reality. Her writing is distinguished by an exceptional blend of humor, absurdity, pain, and human sensitivity, simultaneously provoking thought, discomfort, and empathy.

In recognition of her major works, including Dolly City and An Egyptian Novel, which established her standing as one of the most outstanding and influential writers of her generation. Her books have been translated into numerous languages, earning acclaim in Israel and abroad, and have profoundly influenced many writers, scholars, and readers. Through her work, Castel-Bloom has illuminated the social and cultural dimensions of Israeli reality in ways that are original, courageous, and unconventional.

And in tribute to her profound, four-decade legacy shaping Israeli culture and inspiring generations of readers, and her contribution to fostering an open, critical, and thought-provoking cultural discourse. Her work embodies artistic freedom, intellectual independence, and a constant willingness to challenge conventions and expand the boundaries of literary creation in Israel.

In recognition of his exceptional contribution to the research of modern Jewish history, Zionism, and Jewish nationalism, as a distinguished global scholar across these disciplines. Throughout his academic career, Prof. Derek Jonathan Penslar has made a profound contribution to the understanding of modern Jewish history, while developing innovative scholarly perspectives that connect history, culture, politics, emotions, and technology. His pioneering research explores Jewish identity, nationalism, and Zionism in broad and complex contexts, and adds an important dimension to the public and academic discourse on fundamental questions concerning the future of the Jewish people and the place of Zionism in the modern world. His scholarly work has received wide international recognition and has influenced generations of researchers and students around the world.

In recognition of his extensive international academic endeavors, including his role as Director of the Center for Jewish Studies at Harvard University. In this capacity, he has worked to advance outstanding scholarship, encourage open intellectual discourse, and strengthen the standing of Jewish and Zionist studies in the global academic arena.

And in tribute to his efforts to combat antisemitism in institutions of higher education in the United States, particularly through his role as co-chair of Harvard University's Presidential Task Force on Combating Antisemitism and Anti-Israel Bias. In this capacity, he has acted with responsibility and determination to promote a safe, respectful, and open academic environment for Jewish students and researchers.