Rachel Haber (Hebrew: רחל הבר; born 5th 1967) is an Israeli education women and the chairman of the association Matnat Hachaim (מתנת החיים; lit. 'Gift of Life'). In 2023, she won an Israel Prize on Mifal Hachaim topic.[1]
Rachel Haber | |
|---|---|
רחל הבר | |
 | |
| Born | August 5, 1967 |
| Citizenship | Israel |
| Occupation | Teacher |
| Known for | Chairman of Matnat Hachaim |
| Children | 2 |
Biography
editRachel was born in Jerusalem to Avraham and Sarah Katz, both educators, as the eldest of five daughters. At the age of 12, she relocated with her family to Chicago, United States, for a two-year educational mission. Upon completing their mission, the family returned to Israel.
At the age of 19, she married Avraham Yeshayahu Haber (אברהם ישעיהו הבר). She pursued studies in teaching at the Bais Yaakov seminary and subsequently worked as a teacher, educator, and mentor for female teaching.
In 2009, Haber, along with her husband, co-founded the Matnat Hachaim association (which literally translated to "Gift of Life"), an association-organization dedicated to facilitating the search for kidney donors for patients in need of kidney transplanation in Israel. The couple was motivated to establish the association after her husband underwent a kidney transplant and reportedly personally witnessed the challenges faced by patients awaiting a donor match.[2]
on April 23, 2020, During the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel, her husband contracted the virus and passed away from complications. Following his death, she was appointed chairperson of the association, while continuing her work as a teacher.
In the association, Haber meets with department heads and transplant coordinators at medical centers, delivering lectures on kidney donation, maintains contact with transplant candidates and donors throughout the donation process, and visits donors in hospitals. She also manages the office staff and oversees the association's volunteers.
In 2023, she was awarded the Israel Prize for her contributions. The award committee noted that she "instills kidney patients with a spirit of life and hope, supporting donors, transplant recipients, and their families throughout the process until recovery".[3][4]
In June 2024, she was awarded an honorary degree from Ariel University.[5]
Personal life
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "הרבנית רחל הבר". מדינת ישראל, משרד החינוך, פרסי ישראל.
- ^ "מי אנחנו". מתנת חיים (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-09-22.
- ^ "Israel Prize recipient stresses need to resolve judicial reform crisis". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2023-04-26. Retrieved 2024-09-22.
- ^ "Meeting PM at Israel Prize event, two recipients warn of danger to society". Times of Israel.
- ^ "Ariel University Honors Distinguished Individuals with Honorary Doctorates". Ariel University. Retrieved 2024-09-22.