BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--American Friends of Yitzhak Rabin (AFYR) announced today that they will recognize Boston Mayor, Martin J. Walsh, with the final Yitzhak Rabin Leadership and Public Service Award. Terry O’Sullivan, General President Laborers’ International Union of North America, will present the award to Mayor Walsh at a gala dinner at the InterContinental® Boston on October 13, 2015.
The event, which is being Co-Chaired by Peter Palandjian, CEO of Intercontinental Real Estate Corporation, and Ed Zuker, CEO of Chestnut Hill Realty, will include remarks by Yuval Rabin, son of late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin; Professor Reuven Hazan, chair of the Political Science Department at the Hebrew University; and the honorable Yehuda Yaakov, Consul General of Israel to New England. Mayor Walsh will be recognized for his dedication to public service, the labor movement and further improving the economic development opportunities between Boston and Israel. A special candle vigil and moment of silence will also take place to honor all victims of gun violence. Yitzhak Rabin, a victim of gun violence himself, was killed 20 years ago on November 4, 1995 at a peace rally.
“My father’s lifelong mission was to make a lasting impact on his country by providing security, reinforcing democratic values, building bridges between communities, allowing equal opportunity through education and creating a cadre of young leaders,” explained Yuval Rabin, son of the late Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin. “He understood that this could only be achieved by leading by example, and Mayor Walsh does exactly that every day. Similar to my father, he is fully committed to his people and understands the importance of bringing individuals together to achieve the goal of making the city he leads bigger and better. It is an honor to recognize Mayor Walsh for his leadership and commitment to improving economic ties between Boston and Israel.”
Like Rabin, Mayor Walsh comes from a working class family. He was born and raised in the community he leads, the Boston neighborhood of Dorchester, and like Rabin he has devoted his personal and professional life to public service. He is passionate about making Boston a city where anyone can overcome their challenges and fulfill their dreams. As a young adult, he joined Laborers Local 223 in Boston and quickly rose to head the Building and Construction Trades Council of the Metropolitan District. In this role, he worked with businesses and community leaders to promote high-quality development and career opportunities for women and minorities. Since taking office on January 6, 2014, Mayor Walsh has mirrored the essence of Yitzhak Rabin by working to create good jobs, great schools, safe streets and affordable homes, while building a more responsive, representative and transparent city government. In addition, he has invited the people of Boston to help build a blueprint for the city’s future through Imagine Boston 2030, the first citywide planning process in half a century.
“Yitzhak Rabin was a lifelong advocate for working people, and I am beyond humbled to accept this award in his name,” expressed Mayor Walsh. “In the years following his assassination, I visited Israel and was deeply moved by the legacy he left behind. You could feel his presence interwoven into the fabric of the Israeli culture – he embodied what it means to be a leader. I am fully committed to strengthening ties between Israel and Boston and will continue to honor Rabin’s legacy.”
Over the last ten years, AFYR has successfully raised the funds necessary to complete construction of the Yitzhak Rabin Center and its remarkable Israeli Museum in Tel Aviv while filling its classrooms with substantive and meaningful programs. With the Rabin Center built and flourishing, and 20th anniversary of Rabin’s assassination fast approaching, AFYR has decided to further commemorate Rabin’s legacy by establishing the Yitzhak Rabin Fellowship in Post Graduate Democracy Studies at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Proceeds from the gala will go towards this fellowship, which will be dedicated in Mayor Walsh’s honor early next year.
“The American Friends of Yitzhak Rabin decided that supporting an important educational program reflecting the late prime minister’s legacy is an important next step in fulfilling our mission,” explained Stuart Davidson, AFYR Chairman and Master of Ceremonies for the gala. “The Yitzhak Rabin Fellowship in Post Graduate Democracy Studies will not only help to establish a new generation of statesmen in the image of Yitzhak Rabin but it will also make an important impact on public policy in Israel. We are proud that funds raised during Mayor Walsh’s event will support this important cause.”
For information about the gala dinner, please email WalshDinner@friendsofrabin.org.
For information on American Friends of Yitzhak Rabin, please visit www.friendsofrabin.org or follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/AmericanFriendsofRabin) and Twitter (@FriendsofRabin).
About American Friends of Yitzhak Rabin
This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, the late Prime Minister of Israel. The American Friends of the Yitzhak Rabin Center, a registered 501/c/3 non-profit organization headquartered in New York City, is now known as American Friends of Yitzhak Rabin to reflect an expanded scope of support for educational programs and initiatives that reflect the legacy of Yitzhak Rabin.