The Teddy Kollek Award - Jerusalem Foundation

Over the course of her term as Director and later as President, Ruthi
was the driving force behind the establishment and development
of the Foundation's ten long-lasting branches around the world (in
the United States, Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain,
France, Italy, Britain and Israel). Parallel to her role at the Jerusalem
Foundation, she serves as Chair of the Mishkenot Sha'ananim
Cultural Center and Guesthouse and is a member of the boards
of directors of many public institutions including the Sam Spiegel
Film and Television School, the Jerusalem Music Center in Yemin
Moshe, the Cinematheque, the Tower of David Museum of the
History of Jerusalem and more. Her responsibilities as President of
the Jerusalem Foundation were performed, throughout the years,
voluntarily. Until recently she served as a member of the board of
directors of the well known company Teva Pharmaceuticals.
Ruthi has been instrumental in raising the shining star of Jerusalem
in particular, and of Israel in general, on the international horizon.
Due to her stewardship, donors and friends, Jews and non-Jews alike,
are inspired to take part in the building of Jerusalem as partners in all
steps and stages of projects of their choice from their very inception.
Ruthi carefully safeguarded transparency, particularly in regard to
the Foundation's partnerships with donors, with the Foundation
contributing its knowledge and experience to the city's needs and
enabling the donors to realize their dreams.
For over forty years, Ruth Cheshin cultivated the Jerusalem
Foundation's ethical motifs while preserving its status as an apolitical
organization: promoting respect among the varied populations and
sensitivity to the needs of all ethnic sectors residing in the city,
strengthening partnerships between Israel and the Jewish people
in the Diaspora and, above all, investing in Jerusalem's inimitable
qualities to empower its residents and enhance the experience of its
visitors.
The Jerusalem Foundation's endeavors throughout the city set an
example of world-class urban development, positioning Jerusalem
in its rightful place of honor among the most beautiful and inviting
capital cities of the 21st Century.
Ruthi is married to Mishael Cheshin, former Justice of the Supreme
Court of Israel. She is the mother of three children and grandmother
to six.