At tonight’s opening ceremony for the 42nd Jerusalem Film Festival, Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America – the largest Jewish women’s organization in the United States – presented the Israeli-born international movie star GAL GADOT with its Power of Dreams Award for her courageous advocacy on behalf of Israel.

Gadot, a national icon in Israel, is only the second person to receive the Hadassah award. In 2016, Oscar®-and Emmy® Award-winning actress and entrepreneur GWYNETH PALTROW became the first to be given the honor, which recognizes women whose vision and actions mirror those of Hadassah’s founder, Henrietta Szold. It was Szold’s compassion and foresight which laid the foundation for Israel’s modern healthcare system.

Since the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack by Hamas, Gadot, who found international fame in 2016, when she first portrayed Wonder Woman in what became an American superhero franchise, and who is the first Israeli actor to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,

 has become equally well known for speaking out on behalf of her country. She has continued to do so despite the harsh criticism sometimes aimed at her as a result.