Rabbi Hier lights Israel Independence Day torch at 69^th anniversary of the State of Israel and 50^th anniversary of Jerusalem's reunification 

 
“I recognize that by lighting this torch I am merely a messenger for previous generations of Jews ... This is not a personal honor, but a recognition of the sacred work of the Simon Wiesenthal Center to defend the Jewish people, honor the principles of human dignity and impart our values to generations to come at the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem,” — Rabbi Marvin Hier, pictured with Taglit-Birthright chairman Michael Steinhardt, the first two non-Israelis ever chosen for this honor.

Other torches were lit by Israeli singer and actor Yehoram Gaon; co-founder and CTO of Mobileye Amnon Shashua; writer Eli Amir; soccer player Uri Malmilian; Head of the Department of General Surgery at Hadassah Medical Center Dr. Eid Ahmed; Hana Henkin, who lost her son and daughter-in-law in a terror attack; Dina Samte of the Jewish Institute for the Blind; restaurateur Eli Mizrahi; Six-Day War veteran Yaakov Hetz; ; Miri Erenthal, who founded the Zichron Menahem organization to aid children with cancer and their families; Lt. Dean Ergil of the paratroopers; and Maj. Yaros Shigut, who immigrated from Ethiopia and currently serves as head of the information department at the Education and Youth Officer's headquarters.