Avner Shalev
Encyclopedia
Avner Shalev is the chairman of the Yad Vashem
Directorate of the The Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority.
(IDF), eventually retiring as a Brigadier General. He commenced his military service in the infantry, first as a foot soldier and then as an officer in the Six Day War and other events.
By 1972-1974, Shalev had risen to the summit of Israel's military leadership, serving as Head of the Bureau of the then Chief of Staff, Major General David Elazar
. This entailed working unceasingly at Elazar's side during the critical days preceding, during and following the Yom Kippur War. Shalev was an integral part of the high-level international military and political negotiations that followed the Yom Kippur War
, including the famous Kilometer 101 accords with Egyptian General Gamassi, which eventually led to the Israel-Egypt peace treaty.
Following the conclusion of the war, Shalev chose to serve in the IDF's Education Corps, becoming Israel's Chief Education Officer. This position included command of IDF Radio, and the major task and challenge of restoring public confidence in the ability, vigor and spirit of the IDF and, in a larger sense, of Israeli society. He increased the study of the IDF's battle heritage and combat values, and promoted the leadership training of commanders. Shalev established the Education Corps' central officers training base and advanced the development of core theory and practice for cultivating Israeli military leadership.
Shalev viewed the challenge of extensive immigration to Israel from the former Soviet Union in the early 1990s as a tremendous cultural opportunity for the state. Accordingly, he set up an inter-departmental unit devoted to the absorption of immigrant artists. Its operation facilitated the founding of significant and groundbreaking cultural entities, such as the Ra'anana Orchestra and the Gesher Theatre Company.
, for Special Service to Society and Country. In 2007, he once again received a nation's supreme honor, this time Spain's Prince of Asturias Prize for Concord (the Hispanic world's Nobel Prize
equivalent), in the name of Yad Vashem. He also received the French Legion of Honor by President Sarkozy, at the Elysee Palace in Paris
.
As leader of Yad Vashem, Shalev has dealt with the controversy over Pope Pius XII, and with the Museum's complicated relations with the Church. He has sought better access to Vatican archives for the period of Monsignor Pacelli's papacy.
Yad Vashem
Yad Vashem is Israel's official memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust, established in 1953 through the Yad Vashem Law passed by the Knesset, Israel's parliament....
Directorate of the The Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority.
Service in the IDF
From 1956 through 1980, Shalev served in the Israel Defense ForcesIsrael Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
(IDF), eventually retiring as a Brigadier General. He commenced his military service in the infantry, first as a foot soldier and then as an officer in the Six Day War and other events.
By 1972-1974, Shalev had risen to the summit of Israel's military leadership, serving as Head of the Bureau of the then Chief of Staff, Major General David Elazar
David Elazar
David "Dado" Elazar was the ninth Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, serving in that capacity from 1972 to 1974. He was forced to resign in the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War.-Early life:...
. This entailed working unceasingly at Elazar's side during the critical days preceding, during and following the Yom Kippur War. Shalev was an integral part of the high-level international military and political negotiations that followed the Yom Kippur War
Yom Kippur War
The Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War or October War , also known as the 1973 Arab-Israeli War and the Fourth Arab-Israeli War, was fought from October 6 to 25, 1973, between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria...
, including the famous Kilometer 101 accords with Egyptian General Gamassi, which eventually led to the Israel-Egypt peace treaty.
Following the conclusion of the war, Shalev chose to serve in the IDF's Education Corps, becoming Israel's Chief Education Officer. This position included command of IDF Radio, and the major task and challenge of restoring public confidence in the ability, vigor and spirit of the IDF and, in a larger sense, of Israeli society. He increased the study of the IDF's battle heritage and combat values, and promoted the leadership training of commanders. Shalev established the Education Corps' central officers training base and advanced the development of core theory and practice for cultivating Israeli military leadership.
Director of the Culture
Following his retirement from military service, Shalev assumed the position of Director of the Culture Authority in the Ministry of Education and Culture, as well as Chairman of the National Council of Culture and Art. He also served on the boards of a wide range of Israeli museums and cultural institutions. Within these capacities, Shalev was instrumental in the formulation and implementation of national policy regarding culture and the arts, and for advancing Israel's ties in these areas with other nations around the world. An example for one of his actions in this position, is that he pioneered the earmarking of public funding of cultural activities for schoolchildren. He also ensured the stability and integrity of archaeological endeavors in Israel by transforming the Antiquities Department into and national authority. Shalev help found the Sam Spiegel Film and Television School in Jerusalem.Shalev viewed the challenge of extensive immigration to Israel from the former Soviet Union in the early 1990s as a tremendous cultural opportunity for the state. Accordingly, he set up an inter-departmental unit devoted to the absorption of immigrant artists. Its operation facilitated the founding of significant and groundbreaking cultural entities, such as the Ra'anana Orchestra and the Gesher Theatre Company.
Yad Vashem
In 1993 Avner Shalev accepted the position of Chairman of the Directorate of Yad Vashem. Five years after he took the helm of the institution, Shalev accepted on its behalf the coveted Israel PrizeIsrael Prize
The Israel Prize is an award handed out by the State of Israel and is largely regarded as the state's highest honor. It is presented annually, on Israeli Independence Day, in a state ceremony in Jerusalem, in the presence of the President, the Prime Minister, the Knesset chairperson, and the...
, for Special Service to Society and Country. In 2007, he once again received a nation's supreme honor, this time Spain's Prince of Asturias Prize for Concord (the Hispanic world's Nobel Prize
Nobel Prize
The Nobel Prizes are annual international awards bestowed by Scandinavian committees in recognition of cultural and scientific advances. The will of the Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, established the prizes in 1895...
equivalent), in the name of Yad Vashem. He also received the French Legion of Honor by President Sarkozy, at the Elysee Palace in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
.
As leader of Yad Vashem, Shalev has dealt with the controversy over Pope Pius XII, and with the Museum's complicated relations with the Church. He has sought better access to Vatican archives for the period of Monsignor Pacelli's papacy.
External links
- Yad Vashem website,http://www.yadvashem.org/
- Avner Shalev speech http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=rA7culXY2cU