Established in 2004 by Dr Leonard Polonsky, the Polonsky Prizes are a direct reflection of the family’s unwavering belief in the transformative value of the humanities and social sciences. Their philanthropy has fostered an enduring intellectual community, empowering faculty, post-doctoral researchers, and students to produce original scholarship that explores the deepest currents of human society, culture, and creativity.
The prizes are presented across three categories:
- Researchers: Recognising outstanding books or articles published in recent years.
- Post-Doctoral Researchers: Honouring dissertations of excellence.
- Graduate Students: Awarded for exceptional published articles or theses.
Celebrating the 2025 Laureates
This year’s Polonsky Prize recipients exemplify the very best in humanistic inquiry. Their projects break new ground, span continents and disciplines, and address challenging questions of our time. Among the 2025 honourees:
- Prof. Gal Ventura – Awarded for the monograph “Hush Little Baby: The Invention of Lullabies in Modern Hebrew Culture,” which redefines our understanding of music, tradition, and identity in Israeli society.
- Dr. Tamar Groswald Ozery – Recognized for her exceptional contributions to humanistic scholarship.
- Dr. Micka Ullman – Honoured for outstanding research achievements within the humanities.
- Gabriel Abensour – Celebrated for his original scholarly work and contributions in his field.
These recipients highlight Hebrew University’s leadership across diverse humanities disciplines, including history, linguistics, literature, and musicology.
In a Year of Uncertainty
Regrettably, the 2025 Polonsky Prize ceremony—usually a much-anticipated celebration during the Board of Governors annual meeting—had to be cancelled due to the ongoing emergency situation in Israel. This necessary pause in festivities has not dampened the sense of pride and gratitude that the university community feels for the laureates and the Polonsky family’s steadfast support.
A Lasting Impact
The Polonsky Prizes have become a cherished fixture in the academic calendar, marking not only personal achievement but the collective pursuit of knowledge and cultural enrichment. With each new cohort of recipients, the legacy of Dr Leonard Polonsky continues to inspire excellence, nurture imagination, and reinforce the pivotal importance of the humanities to society at large.
We extend heartfelt congratulations to this year’s prize-winners and express our deepest appreciation to the Polonsky family, whose vision and generosity ensure that creative scholarship at the Hebrew University can thrive—even through challenging times.
To read the full brochure and list of past winners, Click Here