The annual Presentation of the Alexander Scheiber Prize - which was founded by the
Ministry of Cultural Heritage - took place in the main hall of the Ministry, on March 3,
2003.
 The prize is given to those, who
accomplished something for the sake of the Jews of Hungary. This year's awarded ones were
Dr. Ernő Neumann, the Chief Rabbi of Timisoara, Banat and Transylvania and Prof. Dr.
György Haraszti, the Department Head of the Jewish Theological Seminary - University of
Jewish Studies.
In this special event, besides the members of the Foundation Board and the prize winners'
families, the outstanding personalities of the Jewish Science of the country were present,
as well: Prof. Dr. Ida Frölich, the Dean of the "Pázmány Péter " University
of Sciences, Prof. Dr. Géza Komoróczy, Department Head of the "Eötvös"
University of Sciences, Mr. Péter Tordai, president and Mr. Ernő Lazarovits as
representatives of the Alliance of the Jewish Communities of Hungary, Chief Rabbi Prof.
Dr. István Domán, Mrs. Scheiber, Prof. Scheiber's widow, his daughter, son-in-law, his
grandchild, the representatives of the Rector's Council of the JTS-UJS (OR-ZSE), Mr.
György Hidvégi, the president of the Society of the Hungarian-Israeli Friendship, etc.
The Hungarian government was represented by His Excellency Gábor Görgey, the Minister of
Culture, Mr. István Szalay, the Honorable Secretary of State of the Department of
Interfaith Relations of the Office of Religious Affairs of Hungary and Ms. Éva
Sepsi-Kovács, the Head of the Department of Awards of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage.
 Following the Minister's
greetings, Chief Rabbi József Schweitzer was kindly requested for the estimation of
eighty-five-year-old Chief Rabbi Dr. Neumann, emphasizing his efforts in preserving the
Jewish religious traditions and values, in Jewish education, in defending the rights of
the Jewish communities and in establishing good relationships with members of other
religions. József Schweitzer pointed out that the rewarded Chief Rabbi has been active
for the sake of the Hungarian speaking Jews of Romania throughout his entire life.
 Prof. Dr. Vilmos Voigt
praised Dr. György Haraszti for his scientific achievements as a historian and his
organizing activity of the Jewish archives of Hungary, which largely contributed to the
preservation of the essential relics and factual data of the distant and closer Jewish
past of Hungary.
The Alexander Scheiber Prize was presented
by His Excellency, the Minister.
Following the thanksgiving speeches of the awarded ones, the Ministry invited all at
present to take part in the festive reception, too.
03.03.2003 |
