Avner Shalev. Photo: Yad Vashem.

Avner Shalev

Chairman, Yad Vashem

Shalev was appointed Chairman of Yad Vashem in 1993 and has since put education at the forefront of its activities, opening the International School for Holocaust Studies, as well as enlarging Yad Vashem’s archives and research facilities, and building a new museum complex. He is Chief Curator of the Holocaust History Museum that opened in 2005. In 2003, Yad Vashem received the Israel Prize, and in 2007 Shalev received the Legion of Honor Award from French President Nicolas Sarkozy. That same year, he received, on Yad Vashem’s behalf, the Prince of Asturias Award from Spanish Crown Prince Felipe. Shalev has become such a respected personality that an award has even been named after him, The Avner Shalev – Yad Vashem Chairman’s Award.