Torch lighters’ common theme: water conservation

The thirteen torch lighters chosen for Wednesday night’s Independence Day ceremony at Mount Herzl were selected based on the theme of water.

Esther Avraham of Wingate Institute is a hydrotherapist who treats handicapped soldiers and civilians.

Maya Brown is a high school student who won first prize in a young scientist competition for her contribution to water distillation via solar energy.

Rubik Danilovich is the mayor of Beersheva, a city deriving its name from the well dug by biblical forefather Abraham.

Alex Wiznitzer is the chairman of Mekorot, Israel’s national water company.

Moshe Cohen is an engineer responsible for the development of more than 220 water reservoirs.

Lior Lefeber is a high school student and the chair of Haifa’s maritime scouts.

Uri Moran is an educator specializing in water recycling and water conservation.

Herzl Naor is a hydrologist responsible for the development of water sources in the Arava desert.

Orit Skutelsky is a PhD candidate in ecology and environmental policy.

Shlomo Tzewiler is a farmer responsible for the development of water saving irrigation systems.

Prof. (Emeritus) Menachem Rebhun is a leading authority on water and waste water treatment and renovation.

Dr. Hanna Rosenfeld is a researcher at Eilat’s National Center for Mariculture.

Giora Shaham is a water systems analyst, responsible for the Re-flooding Project in the Hula Valley in the 1990s.