The First Lady of the State of Israel Prize for Hebrew Poetry
The First Lady of the State of Israel Prize for Hebrew Poetry is an Israeli literary award for Hebrew poetry. The prize is awarded on behalf of the spouse of the president of Israel - First Lady of Israel at an official ceremony held at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem.
About the Prize
The prize was established in 2018, in honor of the 70th anniversary of the State of Israel, by the Administrator General of the State of Israel together with Nechama Rivlin, the spouse of President Reuven Rivlin, in memory of Dr. Gardner Simon, a British Jewish physician. In his will, Dr. Simon dedicated part of his estate to the State of Israel for the purpose of supporting and promoting the Hebrew language.In its inaugural year, the prize amount was ₪70,000. In subsequent years, the prize has been awarded in the amount of ₪50,000.
Following the passing of Nechama Rivlin, the prize was renamed in her memory at the initiative of Michal Herzog, the spouse of President Isaac Herzog.
Among the poets who have received the prize over the years are: Amichai Chasson, Rita Kogan, Eli Eliyahu, Rafi Weichert, Hava Pinhas-Cohen, and Shachar-Mario Mordechai.