The GOLDEN GOLDA 2023 award ceremony took place in New York. The “golden” name of the award is not accidental. The whole world remembers Golda Meir, the most famous Israeli and the only female Prime Minister of Israel. She is considered a model of political talent and the ability to defend the interests of the Jewish state under any circumstances.

The GOLDEN GOLDA award is given to women who have made the most significant contributions to the Zionist movement, the encouragement of repatriation, and the work of Jewish communities in their countries. The award was initiated by Marina Rosenberg-Koritnaya, the head of the Aliya Promotion Department of WZO.

The first award ceremony took place in the USA in 2017, followed by events in different years in Argentina, Brazil, France, and the United Kingdom.

This year’s grand celebration was preceded by the meticulous work of the WZO’s Department for Aliyah Promotion and a commission that included prominent representatives of American Jewish organizations and communities.

The laureates of the GOLDEN GOLDA 2023 award are:
Galina Goldberg – General Director of Radio Freedom FM 104.7, the most popular Russian-speaking radio station in New York. Her programs, covering the situation in Israel, are very important for forming a correct picture of what is really happening in the Jewish state.

Alicia Post – a well-known public figure and social leader. She has gained wide recognition as a successful manager of social non-profit projects. She is known for her work with the Jewish National Fund and the American Zionist Movement. Alicia actively participates in the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s mentorship program and is on the advisory council for international Jewry. Her activities are aimed at strengthening ties between Israel and Jewish communities around the world.

Rachel Friedland – a lawyer and public figure, a member of the managing commission of the city of Aventura (Florida). Founder of the Don Soffer High School Foundation Board, created to support educational initiatives and provide scholarships to needy students. Rachel is a board member of the Israeli non-profit organization Beit Issie Shapiro, which provides services and support to people with disabilities and their families.

Inna Vernikova – a lawyer, politician, and public figure. A member of the New York City Council from the 48th district. She is a leading voice in the fight against antisemitism in her district. She actively draws public attention to cases of antisemitic attacks and ensures that perpetrators are punished. After identifying cases of antisemitism at the City University of New York’s law school, she achieved a reduction in its funding.

Marina Rosenberg-Koritnaya, Head of the Department for Aliyah Promotion: “It is difficult to find words to express our gratitude to the wonderful women – the laureates of the GOLDEN GOLDA award. The awarding of this prize is our modest tribute, a symbolic gesture of recognition of their real merits to the Zionist movement. I also want to thank everyone who honored this wonderful evening with their presence and, of course, its organizers, who deserve special words of gratitude.”