"Prof. Schwartz established new norms and research methods in various areas of the study of Jewish thought," noted the members of the award committee headed by Prof. Zeev Gries. Other committee members are Prof. Amira Eran, Prof.

Prof. Shmuel Refael, dean of Bar-Ilan University’s Faculty of Jewish Studies, received the unique and honorable La Cruz de la Orden del Mérito Civil, that was first granted by the King of Spain in 1926. The order recognizes "the civic virtue of officers in the service of the Nation, as well as extraordinary service by Spanish and foreign citizens for the benefit of Spain."