CJAED's Executive Director, Helmi Kittani Wins the New Israel Fund Human Rights Award

Each year, two Israeli citizens are selected by New Israel Fund’s selection committee to win the award and to receive a cash prize for the charity of their choice. This year, Anat Hoffman, Director of the Israel Religious Center (IRAC) of the Progressive Movement won an award for her achievements in advancing human rights, civil rights and religious pluralism alongside Helmi. At the event, David Miliband, UK Secretary of State for Commonwealth and Foreign Affairs gave a welcoming remark via video. “I was delighted to hear about the work of Helmi Kittani and Anat Hoffman, the work that they have done, the values, the seriousness of purpose, the recognition that small acts can lead to big change is a real inspiration”, he expressed.

Helmi was awarded the NIF prize for his longstanding and committed efforts towards driving economic cooperation between Jews and Arabs in Israel and economic development of Israel’s Arab community.  Helmi’s efforts through his leadership of the Center for Jewish-Arab Economic Development have provided the foundation on which both Jews and Arabs significantly contribute to building the economy and increasing the prosperity and equality of the State of Israel for all its citizens. After 20 years of managerial experience in banking and business consulting, in 1993 Helmi decided to join CJAED as co-Director in order to use his professional experience for the sake of economic development of Israel’s Arabs. Today Helmi continues to lead projects that generate employment, accelerate business development, promote economic cooperation and build community networks for Arab Israelis. Upon accepting the prize, Helmi commented “My dream is that in 10 years time the Center for Jewish-Arab Economic Development will close its doors and donate all its assets to other joint social organizations because there won't be a need for us anymore.”

The New Israel Fund (NIF) was founded in 1979 by Jonathan J Cohen and Ellie Friedman in order to work towards a state that “will uphold the full social and political rights of all its citizens, irrespective of religion, race or sex.” Over the past 30 years NIF has become the developer of Israel’s progressive society, providing over £140 million to more than 800 cutting-edge organizations.