Achievers
Highlighting the best of the best
Last night’s 2016 Jewish Achiever Awards gala was a magnificent night of celebration: the opportunity to recognise the astounding achievements of a community so small but yet so relevant. The theme of this year’s event was “Igniting the Soul of Africa” and the evening spoke to the myriad ways in which SA Jewry has so successfully contributed to “igniting this soul”. SEE PICTURES INSIDE
VANESSA VALKIN
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VodaWorld was again buzzing with excitement and anticipation as the winners were announced.
Nine remarkable South Africans once again received coveted awards at last night’s Gala Dinner – which, as always, is the highlight of the annual Jewish social calendar.
Jewish Report chairman Howard Sackstein said this year’s event once again “showcased the remarkable and disproportionate contribution that the SA Jewish community has made to the country.”
Hosts Dina Diamond and Howard Sackstein – both Jewish Report directors and the latter chairs both the newspaper’s board and the Absa Achiever event
Last night’s event was the 15th consecutive event to be sponsored by Absa Bank. The bank and the South African Jewish Report signed a further multi-year contract for the bank’s continued sponsorship of the prestigious annual Jewish Achiever Awards.
And the winners were…
This year’s Kia Community Service award went to long-time community stalwart Marlene Bethlehem.
The Lifetime Achievement Award in Honour of Helen Suzman and Bertie Lubner went to the Donald Gordon Foundation represented by Wendy and Hylton Appelbaum.
The Chivas Humanitarian Award in Honour of Chief Rabbi Cyril Harris, Z”L, went to George Bizos.
The Creative Counsel Young Jewish Entrepreneur Award went to young property tycoons Greg Blend and Grant Friedman.
Winner of the Europcar Jewish Women in Leadership Award was Judge Sharise Weiner.
The Absa Entrepreneur Award went to Barry Taitz of Blue Cellular.
Winner of the Absa Unlisted Company Award was Dionne Ellerine Hirschowitz
And winner of the Absa Listed Company Award was Michael Metz.
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Some pictures to whet the appetite
Jewish Report chairman Howard Sackstein, Mark Hirschowitz, Dionne Ellerine Hirschowitz – the winner of the Absa Unlisted Company Award, and Jewish Report board member Herby Rosenberg
PICTURED (L-R): SAJR board members Benjy Porter and Herby Rosenberg with George Bizos who received his Chivas Humanitarian Award from Ann Harris; SAJR chair Howard Sackstein and board member Herschel Jawitz.
Bizos received the Chivas Humanitarian Award in Honour of Chief Rabbi Cyril Harris, Z”L.
Don’t miss this week’s print version of the SA Jewish Report which will include all the finalists and winners in a special supplement – as well as full and extensive coverage of the swashbuckling event.