In years past, the Philadelphia-Israel Chamber of Commerce’s (PICC) annual gala only recognized one important contributor with an award.
But Executive Director Vered Nohi said the organization found that limiting, so the 2018 gala — the organization’s biggest annual event and only fundraiser — will feature four awards.
“We’re able to introduce more stories of our impact in Israel and the region,” she said.
The PICC gala is slated for May 22 from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Crystal Tea Room in Philadelphia. Nohi said between 260 and 300 people will attend.
“It’s also a good networking event,” she said, describing other PICC events as more business-oriented.
Business software provider SAP, which has its North American headquarters in Newtown Square, will receive the Yitzhak Rabin Award. It is being recognized for “spearheading innovation in Israel, Pennsylvania and globally, by developing tailored industry-wide technological solutions.” That includes work with first responders, digital health care providers and automation processes.
In addition, the Gene Editing Institute at Christiana Care’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research in Delaware will receive the new Life Science and Bio-Innovation Award for its work with the Israeli company NovellusDx and others in advancing gene-editing technology in cancer research.
“This is basically going to be the future of medicine,” Nohi said.
Meantime, the new Technology and Innovation Award will go to Bucks Ventures LLC for being at the forefront of “developing business, economic and academic relationships among the Israel, India and PA/DE/NJ regions.”
The group of local entrepreneurs connects Israeli and Indian companies.
“We act as a matchmaker,” Nohi said.
And Bernard “Bernie” C. Rudnick, the managing partner of CapGenic Advisors, LLC will be
honored with the new Lifetime Achievement Award. Aside from serving on the board of numerous companies — including emerging Israeli entities — he founded Mid-Atlantic Diamond Ventures, Mid-Atlantic Bio Angels and First Pitch Bio, and was a founding member of Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic.
“He’s loaned himself to many startups as an adviser. … He’s a very generous and kind man,” Nohi said.
PICC was established in 1987 and connects innovators, companies, governmental agencies and economic development organizations in Israel and Philadelphia, southern New Jersey and Delaware.
agotlieb@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0797
