This year’s recipients include both organizations and individuals who have dedicated themselves to social causes in fields especially relevant to today, under the banner of hope, solidarity, and faith in humanity and in the nation.

Organizational honorees: Ayelet HaShachar, Ofakim La’Atid, Beit Al HaYam, Our Brothers, The Anchor for Reservists’ Families, Lev Echad, Engineers Without Borders, and SOS Animals.
Individual honorees: Janet Asido, Dan Blorian, Louisa Bergman, Amir Khodorov, Meir Marciano, Meitar Sela, Shamai Keinan, Amir Rahal, Tamar Richter Haimovitz, Eden Shalev, and Halabi Boutaynah.

The President’s Volunteer Medal was established in 1974 during the tenure of Israel’s fourth president, Prof. Ephraim Katzir, and is awarded in partnership with the Israeli Volunteering Council.

Opening the ceremony, President Herzog said: “In a time of war, when we are so often confronted with distressing news, it is both a privilege and a joy for Michal and me to host this extraordinary group of volunteers, individuals and organizations, who bring us pride and are responsible for so much good news.

Yet even at this moving moment, we cannot ignore our broken hearts, our longing, our worry, and our yearning for our brothers and sisters who remain in captivity at the hands of ruthless murderers. Their voices cry out from beneath the ground, reminding us of our supreme human, Jewish, and Israeli duty: to bring them home. We must repay this sacred debt to the hostages, to their families, and to ourselves. We pray for their swift return.”

Herzog emphasized that while the ceremony takes place at the President’s Residence, it is first and foremost the people’s house:

“Just as the President’s Volunteer Medal is truly the People of Israel’s Volunteer Medal. Behind the salute we give you today stands an entire nation, so proud of your work, your spirit, and the extraordinary Israeli diversity you represent.”

The president urged unity at a time of deep internal debate: “Now is not a time for incitement, extremism, or discord. This is the critical moment for moderation, compromise, and unity. Now is the time for healing.”

Nurit Dabush, chair of the President’s advisory committee, praised the honorees: “Together with my fellow committee members, we met the beautiful face of Israel in all its diversity. These are individuals who did not wait for a call but rolled up their sleeves and took immediate action. Even today, as my own family mourns the loss of Idan Shtivi, my cousin’s grandson, I stand here grateful for the spirit of giving, knowing that the eternal nation will never be broken.”

Speaking on behalf of the honorees, Amir Khodorov said, “I wondered what unites all of us who are standing here today. The answer is clear: the shared purpose of leading the people of Israel toward a future of hope. After October 7, we stepped out of our comfort zones and took action, day and night, without pause, in projects of meaning and importance. Our common goal is nothing less than to build a future of renewal and hope.”