site.btaShalom Presents Annual Shofar Awards in Sofia

For the 22nd consecutive year, the Shalom Organization of the Jews in Bulgaria honoured individuals with outstanding contributions both to the Jewish community and to Bulgarian society – a total of Six Shofar Award statuettes were presented at a ceremony in Sofia on September 30.

Rosa Berger was recognized for her active presence in the community, with the award presented by Maxim Delchev, Educational Director of Shalom.

Iva Guneva received the youth contribution award, handed to her by Martin Kanovski, Chair of the Bet Shalom Educational Foundation.

Journalist Ivo Indzhev was awarded a Shofar for objective journalism, presented by Jewish News newspaper Editor-in-Chief Mihaylina Pavlova.

Viktor Melamed, Director of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) office in Bulgaria and North Macedonia, presented the annual Shofar Award for civic engagement to Zhelyazko Gagov, Mayor of Panagyurishte Municipality. The award was accepted on his behalf by Deputy Mayor Ivaylo Ivanov.

The Shofar Award for partnership and solidarity was presented by Nikolay Galabov, Head of the Federation of Zionists in Bulgaria, to Alejandro Zothner Meyer, Ambassador of Argentina to Bulgaria.

Former Shalom President Professor Alexander Oscar received the lifetime achievement award, presented by the current President, Alina Levy.

The 2025 edition of the ceremony also featured a collective Shofar Award, expressing gratitude and solidarity with those who have stood in support of Israel for more than 700 days.

During the event, 48 seats in the hall were left empty and marked with large yellow ribbons - a gesture of solidarity with the Israeli hostages in Gaza, who have been held in captivity for over 720 days since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.