Reichman University to Confer Honorary Doctorates on
Eli Sharabi, David (Dadi) Barnea, Lucy Aharish, Inbal Kreiss, and Doris and Mori Arkin
The honorary degree is awarded to individuals whose achievements reflect the founding values of Zionism, entrepreneurship, social responsibility, and philanthropy.
Reichman University conferred honorary doctorates for the 2025 - 2026 academic year upon six distinguished figures in Israeli society: former hostage Eli Sharabi; former Director of the Mossad David (Dadi) Barnea; journalist and media personality Lucy Aharish; Inbal Kreiss, a leader behind the development of the Arrow 3 missile defense system at Israel Aerospace Industries; and philanthropists Doris and Mori Arkin. The degrees are being awarded in recognition of their exceptional contributions to Israeli society and the resilience of the State of Israel.
Eli Sharabi, a member of Kibbutz Be’eri, became a symbol of extraordinary courage and the indomitable strength of the human spirit after being abducted from his home during the October 7 attack and held hostage in Gaza for 491 days under brutal conditions. Despite having endured profound personal tragedy, upon his return he devoted himself to amplifying the voices of the hostages and their families in Israel and around the world. His story has become a living testament to the power of hope, mutual responsibility, and the resilience of Israeli society.
David (Dadi) Barnea served as the thirteenth Director of the Mossad from 2021 to 2026. Over the course of three decades, he held a wide range of senior positions in the Mossad, making a significant contribution to strengthening Israel’s security, enhancing its strategic capabilities, and bolstering its standing in the regional and international arena. Throughout the multi-front war, the Mossad and its personnel have been responsible for a series of sophisticated and daring operations, and in the ongoing campaign against the Iranian threat, it continues to play a central role in achieving Israel’s strategic objectives.
Lucy Aharish, a leading journalist and media personality, has emerged as a distinctive and courageous voice in Israeli public discourse. Throughout her career, she has championed dialogue, tolerance, and civic responsibility while confronting both personal and public challenges. As the first Arab-Israeli anchorwoman to deliver the news in Hebrew on mainstream Israeli television, Aharish has distinguished herself through her willingness to speak candidly and her unwavering stance against racism and incitement. She has become a prominent figure working to bridge the diverse communities that make up Israeli society.
Inbal Kreiss is one of the foremost figures in Israel’s defense and aerospace industries. Over the course of her distinguished career at Israel Aerospace Industries, she has led groundbreaking projects, most notably the development of the Arrow 3 ballistic missile defense system - one of the most advanced systems of its kind in the world - which has proven its effectiveness in recent conflicts. She later spearheaded space-innovation initiatives and played a key role in the Beresheet lunar mission. Her work has made an extraordinary contribution to Israel’s national security and to the country’s standing as a global technological leader.
The university will also confer an honorary doctorate upon Doris and Mori Arkin, whose family foundation supports a wide range of philanthropic initiatives across Israeli society and culture. They have championed projects and organizations with a meaningful impact in the fields of education, culture, social welfare, healthcare, and liberal democracy. In 2013, the Arkins established the Ziama Arkin Infancy Institute at the Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology at Reichman University, a research and clinical institute dedicated to the parent-infant relationship from pregnancy through the age of two.
Prof. Uriel Reichman, Founding President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, said: “This evening’s honorary doctorate ceremony is unlike any we have held before. We are living through a different time, one marked by hardship and profound challenges: a war being fought on multiple external fronts, alongside a period in which the foundations of effective governance in Israel are being strained from within. Yet, at the same time, we are witnessing the reawakening of the spirit of volunteerism and civic responsibility, as individual commitment comes together to create collective strength and unity. We have gathered here tonight to reaffirm our core values and our hope for a better reality, so that the vision embodied by this evening may be realized and a new day may dawn. Tonight, we honor extraordinary individuals, each of whom has made a unique contribution to the State of Israel, Israeli society, and Reichman University. They embody the fundamental values and commitment that define our university".
Former hostage Eli Sharabi said: "For me, receiving an Honorary Doctorate is a triumph of the human spirit over the darkness that sought to break me. I dedicate this degree to the memory of those dearests to me-my beloved wife, Lianne, my life partner and true friend; my cherished daughters, Noya and Yahel, who were pure light. They filled every place with laughter, curiosity, love, and joy. They taught me the meaning of unconditional love, and they continue to teach me, even today, the true meaning of hope. I also dedicate it to my beloved brother, Yossi, who was murdered in Hamas captivity after being abducted from his home. His absence is felt every single day, yet his memory continues to give us strength and inspiration. I would gladly give up every title, every honor, and every form of recognition for one more moment with them".