Danny Hakim (philanthropist)

For the journalist, see Danny Hakim.

Danny Hakim OAM is an Australian born philanthropist, martial arts champion, and social entrepreneur. He is the founder of Budo for Peace and Honorary president of the Israeli Paralympic Committee.

Early life and education

Hakim was born in Adelaide to Egyptian Jewish parents, before moving to Sydney with his family. He discovered karate thanks to his grandmother buying him karate lessons for as a bar mitzvah present.[1][2][3] Hakim has a B.Sc. in Biotechnology from the University of New South Wales, Sydney and a Masters in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Swinburne University, Melbourne. He made Aliyah in 2003.[4]

Karate

Hakim represented Australia, Israel and Japan in different international karate competitions and is a two-time world Karate silver medalist.[4][5] In 1983, Hakim traveled to Japan to train under karate master Hirokazu Kanazawa.[6][7] He is a nana-dan, which is the seventh degree of black belt, and is the only person living in Israel to have accomplished this.[8][9]

Career

Hakim is the founder and chairman of Budo for Peace,[10][11] an organization that uses the martial arts to help bring down barriers and foster peace.[12] He is also the founder of Sports for Social Impact which works on unlocking the positive social potential of sports.[13][14]

Film maker

Hakim is the producer of films such as Shadya,[4] Marathon Mom,[15] and Rabbi Capoeira.[16]

Board member

Hakim is on the board of ALLMEP, Kids Kicking Cancer, Maccabi World Union, the Israeli Surf Lifesaving Foundation,[17] the Azrieli Foundation[18] and the Psik Theatre in Jerusalem.[19][20] He is the chairman of the Australia Asia Desk of Maccabi World Union.[21]

In February 2025, he was appointed Honorary president of the Israeli Paralympic Committee.[19] In 2025, Hakim founded Women’s Champions for Change.[7]

Awards

In 2017, Hakim was inducted into the Maccabi NSW Hall of Fame.[22] In 2018 Budo for Peace was awarded the Regional NGA of the Year by Peace and Sport.[23] Hakim was awarded the 2019 Bonei Zion Prize for Culture, Arts & Sports.[5] In January 2022, Hakim was presented with an Order of Australia medal for services to the international community.[1]

Personal

Hakim is married to Danna Azrieli and has two children.[24] He is an independent contributor, publishing a series of articles and commentaries through his personal platform for the Times Of Israel.[25]

References

  1. ^ a b "Hakim presented with OAM in Israel". Australian Jewish News. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  2. ^ "Program promotes Arab Israeli peace through martial arts". No Camels. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  3. ^ "Karate for Peace". Hadassah. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  4. ^ a b c "Danny Hakim - culture, art, sport winner". Bonei Zion. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  5. ^ a b "Award for Danny Hakim". Australian Jewish News. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  6. ^ "One on One: Kick starting peace?". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  7. ^ a b "Der Karateka von Bondi Beach". Taz. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  8. ^ "Budo Family Fighting for Peace". AJN. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  9. ^ "Budo for Peace". Jews and Japan. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  10. ^ "Budo Peace Middle East". Hadassh Magazine. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  11. ^ "Budo for Peace". ABC. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  12. ^ "Martial arts group aims knockout blow for peace". Dawn. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  13. ^ "New movie explores Beatie Deutsch's long journey as Israel's 'Marathon Mom'". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  14. ^ "SSI Team". SSI. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  15. ^ "Danny Hakim". Jerusalem Cinemateque. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  16. ^ "Rabbi Capoeira". Heymann Films. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  17. ^ "About". Israel Life Saving. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  18. ^ "The Azrieli Foundation's ethos is abundance". eJewish Philanthropy. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  19. ^ a b "Grapevine February 8, 2025: Sport and society". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  20. ^ "Who we are". KKCI. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  21. ^ "Who We Are - Secretariat". Maccabi. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  22. ^ "6 Inducted Hall of Fame". AJN. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  23. ^ "Israeli martial arts group nominated for peace award". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  24. ^ "Grapevine: All in the family". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
  25. ^ "Danny Hakim". Times of Israel. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
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