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Itongadol.- A year has gone by since the abduction and murder by Hamas terrorists of Israeli teenagers Eyal Yifrach, Gil-Ad Shaer and Naftali Frenkel; and the anniversary will be marked Wednesday evening with the awarding of the Jerusalem Unity Prize named in memory of the three.
The award will be presented in three separate categories — Individuals or Organizations, Social Initiatives, and Israel and the Diaspora.
The award ceremony, with President Reuven Rivlin and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat as guests of honor, takes place in the framework of events to mark Unity Day, which is being held on Wednesday in conjunction with Ynet\’s sister publication, Yedioth Ahronoth.
A joint initiative of the Jerusalem mayor, the non-profit organization founded in memory of the three teenagers and the Gesher NGO, the ceremony and prizes come to celebrate and honor organizations and individuals involved in building unity among the Jewish people in Israel and the Diaspora.
The prize winners will share an award of NIS 300,000.
And the winners are: Social Initiatives – Ra\’aya and Yossi Efner, directors of the Nifgashim Beshvil Yisrael project; Israel and the Diaspora – Rabbi Nechemya Wilhelm, director of the Chabad House in Bangkok; Individuals or Organizations – Brigadier General (res.) Ram Shmueli and Rabbi David Menachem.
The prize committee members include former education minister Prof. Yuli Tamir, Israel Prize laureate Rabbi Yitzchak Dovid Grossman, former chief rabbi of Britain Lord Jonathan Sacks, Gesher president Rabbi Dr. Danny Tropper, singer Kobi Oz and media personality Orly Vilnai.
"Jews from around the world came together to support their families by searching, praying, and just reaching out. The sense of unity reached its peak 17 days later as the three boys were found and ultimately laid to rest side by side," a joint message from the parents said.
"Now, one year later, the families of the boys are asking the Jewish people to come together again. Together with, Nir Barkat, the mayor of Jerusalem, and Gesher, we will honor the teens\’ memory by joining in \’Unity Day\’ to bring back that sense of togetherness and hope."