Global KH-UIA award for Sydney community leader
Sydney communal leader Stephen Cordell was earlier this year honoured with an Order of Australia medal and now has received international acknowledgement for his long-standing honorary leadership as the only Australian to receive the prestigious Yakir Keren Hayesod Award.
Stephen Cordell
The Award was presented at the KH-UIA virtual Annual Global Conference in Jerusalem in recognition of his commitment and distinguished contribution in promoting the aims and goals of Keren Hayesod, both in Israel and in the Jewish world.
His involvement in KH-UIA roles has spanned five decades, including as NSW and Federal Treasurer for many years and subsequently on its Board of Governors, and has also occupied pro bono roles with a broad range of community organisations, including as honorary lawyer to the NSW Board of Jewish Deputies, Chai Foundation, NCJW and Maccabi Tennis.
UIA CEO, Yair Miller said the organisation is deeply grateful to Mr Cordell for his outstanding unbroken commitment to the People of Israel through the UIA, for so many decades.
Mr Cordell said he felt very privileged to receive this international honour from Keren Hayesod-UIA, made even more meaningful because his late parents Merna and Ellis Cordell were pioneers from the early days of its formation in Australia.
“My mother was a co-founder of the Women’s Division in the late 1960s, and president for many years, putting in place solid foundations to champion Israel’s needs”, he said.
“So, in fact, UIA is in my DNA as is my long-held commitment to contribute to the growth and development of the State of Israel and the well-being of its people.
“I have seen first-hand, via several UIA missions from Australia, the amazing and significant work of Keren Hayesod, especially its outstanding dedication to helping with the welfare of those in need.
“While we are very fortunate to enjoy freedom living here in Australia, and can be very proud of the success of our Jewish community, it has been personally important for me during the past 50 years to follow in my parents’ footsteps in actively supporting the Jewish State and its people,” Mr Cordell said.
