Israel Prize for Lifetime Achievement to the President of Matanat Chaim, Rabbanit Rachel Heber
“The transplant department is like a maternity ward – life is created there.”
(Rabbanit Rachel Heber, from the Israel Prize ceremony)
Rabbanit Rachel Heber, President of Matanat Chaim, won the Israel Prize for Lifetime Achievement for the year 5783 (2023)
for an extraordinary contribution to society and the state.
Thanks to the work of Rabbanit Rachel Heber and her late husband, Rabbi Yeshayahu Heber, Matanat Chaim has become a unique and leading phenomenon in the field of kidney transplants, with thousands of kidney donations in Israel that have saved the lives of many patients.
The late Rabbi Yeshayahu Heber -
Founder of Matanat Chaim
Rabbanit Rachel Heber -
President of Matanat Chaim
The late Rabbi Yeshayahu Heber -
Founder of Matanat Chaim
Rabbanit Rachel Heber -
President of Matanat Chaim
Committee Members:
Rabbanit Rachel Heber is a charismatic and modest figure, filled with a sense of mission and determination, who continues the path of her late husband, Rabbi Yeshayahu Heber, and leads the Matanat Chaim organization to unprecedented achievements.
Thanks to her work, kidney donation has transformed from rare altruism to a common way of life in Israeli society. This is a unique phenomenon on a global scale, which arouses great interest among medical and social entities worldwide.
The Rabbanit personally accompanies every donor and recipient, giving hope and confidence to patients, and promotes the values of giving, partnership, and respect for others, regardless of religion, gender, or social affiliation.
The organization, by its very existence and actions, creates unity and cohesion in Israeli society, connecting the tribes of the nation and bringing a message of life, health, and joy.
For all these reasons, the committee found Rabbanit Rachel Heber worthy of receiving the Israel Prize for Lifetime Achievement – a special contribution to society and the state.
Immense Pride and Appreciation
Matanat Chaim is proud and cherishes the work of Rabbanit Rachel Heber, and continues with her to save lives and bring hope to hundreds of additional families.
