In a ceremony held last week, 12 members of the Israel Diamond Manufacturers Association (IsDMA) were recognized for their contribution to the advancement of the Israeli diamond industry, and awarded the Diamond Industry Dignitary Award.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of the Economy Eli Cohen; President of Manufacturers Association of Israel Shraga Brosh; Lahav Chairman Roy Cohen; Israel Diamond Manufacturers Association President Kobi Korn; IDE President Yoram Dvash; IDI Chairman Shmuel Schnitzer; Israel Precious Stones and Diamonds Exchange President Shlomo Eshed; Director General of the Ministry of Economy Amit Lang; Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Economy Naama Kaufman-Pass; and senior members of the diamond industry, the dignitaries and family members.
The Israel Diamond Dignitary Award ceremony is held every two years to honor and recognize the men and women who have promoted the Israeli diamond industry.
The 12 new recipients are: David Arabov; Zeev Birenbaum; Irit Ben Shachar-Maor; Berman Itzhak; Menachem Ganz; the late Joseph Yedgar; Abraham Katz Neiman; Avraham Namdar; Gershon Alexander Stschik; Jacob Siman Tov; Leon Pinassi; and Arie Rieger.
Minister of the Economy Eli Cohen congratulated the dignitaries and said that the Israeli diamond industry is “a source of pride and integrity” for the country, and promised to promote the industry during his tenure.
IDE President Yoram Dvash spoke of the several changes and reforms adopted by the IDE, such as the new tax agreement, the new Code of Ethics introduced earlier this month, the appointment of a retired District Court judge to the bourse’s arbitration process, and more. Dvash thanked the new dignitaries for “laying the ground for our industry, which will continue to grow and thrive”.
IDI Chairman Shmuel Schnitzer said: “The Jewish tradition has instilled in us all important principles, and one of these is the principle of gratitude. Today, 80 years after the first diamond factory was established in Israel, we stand here to honor and recognize the people who made it possible, and those who followed in their footsteps – the people that built the Israeli diamond industry”.
Schnitzer added: “We are all aware that these are not easy times for our industry, but moments like these enable us to see where we began and how far we’ve come, and they are an inspiration. Faith, diligence, hard work and innovation will lead us on and maintain the status held by the Israeli diamond industry in the world”.
Kobi Korn congratulated the dignitaries and commented that the 12 new recipients of the award are joining 152 members chosen as dignitaries in the past, adding: “many members of IsDMA are worthy of the title, and every year, it gets tougher to choose the select few […] we thank you for giving us this hour of grace, comfort and nostalgia as we look with hope towards the future of our industry”.
The 12 new dignitaries were invited one-by-one on-stage, each man or woman accompanied by two people he or she has chosen in advance. Each of the members received a certificate, a picture and a gift. At the end of the ceremony those present stood up and sang Hatikvah, the Israeli national anthem.
