Actor Moni Moshonov and dancer Rina Schenfeld will be among the recipients of the Union of Israeli Artists (AMI) lifetime achievement awards, it was announced on Monday.
The list of honorees includes Dr. Estherit Balzan, Yoav Yitzhak, Izhar Cohen, Dr. Henry Libros, the late choreographer Valery Panov, Yehuda Keisar, Dorit Reuveni, Sandra Sade, and Yonatan Shaham.
A special Trailblazing Artist Award will be granted this year to Yuval Raphael, courtesy of the Dotan family in memory of the late actor Dudu Dotan, in recognition of her extraordinary journey from October 7 to the Eurovision stage.
The festive ceremony will take place at the Petah Tikva Culture Hall on October 28, in the presence of Mayor Rami Greenberg.
The artistic program will include a special tribute to late singer-songwriter Corinne Allal, performed by Ronit Shahar, as well as a tribute to late actor Zeev Revach. Panov was informed of the honor just days before his death last month.
Essential to recognize those who have shaped Israeli culture
“Alongside AMI’s year-round work defending artists’ rights, we see it as essential to pause annually and recognize those among us whose lifelong contributions have shaped Israeli culture,” said AMI chairperson Yona Elian Keshet, the chairperson of AMI.
• Acclaimed performer Moshonov, who has starred in iconic films, series, and theater productions, is perhaps best known for his role in the iconic TV series. “Zehu Ze!” (That’s it!).
• Schenfeld is a giant of Israeli and international dance. She’s the founding member and star of the Batsheva Dance Company.
• Balzan is a pianist and musical lecturer who pioneered the “Talking Piano” genre.
• Yitzhak is one of Israel’s most beloved Mizrahi singers, known for his emotional voice and Mediterranean-meets-global style.
• Cohen is a Eurovision icon who brought Israel its first win in 1978 with “Abanibi.”
• Libros is a founding member of Israel’s magician’s guild.
• Legendary Soviet-born ballet dancer and choreographer Panov founded the Panov Ballet in Ashdod.
• Keisar is a pioneering Mizrahi guitarist who shaped the sound of Mediterranean Israeli music.
• Reuven has sung for over five decades, from military bands to classic songs like “Hayom Hayom” (Today, Today).
• Sade is an esteemed theater and film actress with a wide range of roles, from Shakespeare to hit comedies.
• Shaham is a vocal music pioneer, composer, conductor, and founder of the vocal ensemble “In a Different Style” based in Kibbutz Gevim.