The graduate clubs of the leading world universities, Harvard and Penn and their Business Schools, HBS and Wharton, chose to grant an award for unique contribution to the development of human capital, with the potential to influence the State of Israel and the Jewish nation, to the Mandel Leadership Institute, which operates under the auspices of Mandel Foundation-Israel.

The Mandel Leadership Institute was chosen for this prestigious award for: "developing educational leadership and its significant contribution to Israeli society over many years."

Dr. Varda Shiffer, President of the Mandel Foundation-Israel, received the award on behalf of Mr. Morton Mandel, Chairman of the international Mandel Foundation, at the festive award ceremony. "It's an honor to be included among the recipients of the prestigious awards granted by the graduates of the world's leading institutions. This is an additional level of recognition for Mandel Leadership Institute graduates who hold key positions and are generating change in the social and educational systems in Israel."

The award was granted during a festive evening for the universities' graduates at the Dan Accadia Hotel in Herzliya. The evening's keynote speaker was Mr. Gavriel Ashkenazi, the former Commander-in-Chief of the IDF.

The Mandel Leadership Institute and the Mandel Center for Leadership in the Negev train visionary leaders in the fields of education and society for Israel and the Jewish communities around the world.

The Mandel Foundation was founded by Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel of Cleveland, Ohio in the United States. Major areas of activity of the Foundation include: leadership, management of non-profit organizations, higher education, education, Jewish continuity and neighborhood renewal. The Foundation's approach to philanthropy is based on the understanding that outstanding leaders, professionals and volunteers alike, have the power to change community and society.