Genesis Prize

The Genesis Prize
Awarded for	Outstanding achievement by individuals who have attained excellence and international renown in their chosen professional fields, and whose actions, in addition to their achievements, embody the character of the Jewish people through commitment to Jewish values, the Jewish community and/or to the State of Israel.
Sponsored by	Founded by the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel, Genesis Philanthropy Group and the Jewish Agency for Israel.
Date	2013
First awarded	2014
Official website	www.genesisprize.org

The Genesis Prize (Hebrew: פרס בראשית‎‎) was founded in 2012 as a USD$1 million award given annually to an exceptional human being who has attained outstanding excellence and international renown in his or her chosen field, is a role model in the community and who can inspire the next generation of Jews worldwide.^[1] The prize was founded by the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel, Genesis Philanthropy Group, and the Jewish Agency for Israel with the objective of inspiring and developing a sense of pride and belonging among young unaffiliated Jews throughout the world.^[2]

On October 21, 2013, the Genesis Prize Foundation announced that Michael Bloomberg had been chosen as the first Laureate. The inaugural Prize was presented by the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, on May 22, 2014 at a ceremony in Jerusalem. Bloomberg invested his $1 million award in a global competition, the Genesis Generation Challenge, to identify young adults' big ideas to better the world.^[3][4]

On January 14, 2015, the Genesis Prize Foundation announced that actor Michael Douglas is the recipient of the 2015 Genesis Prize.^[5]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented Michael Douglas with the second Genesis Prize at a ceremony in Jerusalem on June 18, 2015. Comedian Jay Leno hosted the event, which highlighted inclusion for intermarried families in Jewish life, as well the role of Jews in Hollywood and Broadway. The ceremony also featured presentations from Benjamin Netanyahu, Genesis Prize Co-Founder Mikhail Fridman, and Israeli model and actress Bar Refaeli.^[6]

On December 14, 2015, the Genesis Prize Foundation announced that violinist Itzhak Perlman is the recipient of the 2016 Genesis Prize. Mr. Perlman is recognized for his exceptional contributions as a musician, teacher, advocate for individuals with disabilities and dedication to Jewish values.^[7] On April 6, 2016, the Genesis Prize Foundation announced Helen Mirren as the master of ceremonies for the 2016 Genesis Prize Award Ceremony.^[8]

About the prize

The Genesis Prize seeks to inspire a movement to honor and enhance Jewish identity around the world and spark a far-reaching and inclusive conversation about Jewish values, culture and heritage, especially among young people. Prize Laureates are intended to inspire younger Jews to embrace an identity that has profound historical, cultural and spiritual meaning.

The Genesis Prize seeks to recognize individuals who have attained excellence and international renown in their chosen professional fields, and whose actions, in addition to their achievements, embody the character of the Jewish people through commitment to Jewish values, the Jewish community and/or to the State of Israel. Beyond demonstrated qualities of achievement and commitment, the Genesis Prize, in keeping with the Jewish values for which it stands, serves to recognize the Laureate’s contributions to the betterment of humankind.

Genesis Philanthropy Group established an endowment in the amount of $100 million to launch the Genesis Prize Foundation, as well as fund the prize and related young adult engagement activities. The founders of the Genesis Prize aim to complement other outstanding programs focused on engaging young diaspora Jews, such as Taglit-Birthright Israel, Jewish summer camps, MASA and Hillel International.

Partners

The Genesis Prize was established as a partnership between the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel, the Genesis Philanthropy Group, and the Jewish Agency for Israel.^[9] All Prize activities are managed by the Genesis Prize Foundation.

Genesis Philanthropy Group (GPG) was founded in September 2007 by Petr Aven, Mikhail Fridman, German Khan, Alexander Knaster, and Stan Polovets with a mission to develop and enhance a sense of Jewish identity among Russian-speaking Jews worldwide, with a particular emphasis on the former Soviet Union, North America, and Israel.^[10][11]

Selection and nomination

The Genesis Prize honors individuals who have attained excellence and international renown in their chosen professional fields, and who inspire others through their engagement and dedication to the Jewish community and/or the State of Israel.^[12]

Upon receipt of the nominees who meet the criteria for the Prize, the Selection Committee reviews candidates and the Prize Committee selects the Laureate. In its inaugural year, The Genesis Prize Foundation received 223 submissions, with 176 unique nominations for individuals from 6 continents. In 2014, The Genesis Prize Foundation received 258 nominations from 16 countries. In 2015 and 2016, The Genesis Prize Foundation received 268 and 285 nominations respectively.

The Selection and Prize Committee members were chosen for their outstanding leadership in areas such as international affairs and public service, human rights and justice, business and philanthropy as well as for their unwavering support of Jewish causes.^[13]

Leadership

The leadership of the Genesis Prize consists of a Board of Directors and an Advisory Board.

Board of Directors

• Stan Polovets, Chairman of the Board
• Aaron Abramovich, Deputy Chairman of the Board and Chairman of MASA Israel Journey

Advisory Board

• Jehuda Reinharz, Advisory Board Chairman, President Emeritus, Brandeis University
• Vartan Gregorian, President, Carnegie Corporation of New York
• Robin Neustein, Senior Director, Goldman Sachs & Co.
• John Sexton, President, New York University (Completed term September 2016)
• Rivka Carmi, President, Ben Gurion University of the Negev
• Irwin Cotler, Attorney General of Canada, 2003-2006, Member of Parliament, Canada
• Jonathan Fanton, President Emeritus, John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
• Kenneth R. Feinberg, Managing Partner, Feinberg Rozen, LLP
• Gary Ginsberg, Executive Vice President, Corporate Marketing and Communications, Time Warner
• Allen Shapard, Senior Vice President, IMG Worldwide, Advisor to Nobel Laureates
• Joan E. Spero, Senior Research Scholar, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs
• Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner, Senior Rabbi to Reform Judaism, UK
• Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, Chief Rabbi, Efrat, Israel, Chancellor & Rosh Yeshiva, Ohr Torah Stone Institutions

Committee members

Committee members were chosen for their outstanding leadership in areas such as international affairs and public service, human rights and justice, business and philanthropy as well as for their unwavering support of Jewish causes.^{[14][15][16][17]}

Prize Committee

• Yuli Edelstein, Committee Chairman, Speaker of the Knesset
• Meir Shamgar, President Emeritus, Supreme Court of Israel
• Tova Strasberg-Cohen, Justice, Supreme Court, Israel (retired)
• Jill W. Smith, Chair, Jewish Foundation for Education of Women
• Elie Wiesel, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Member of Founding Prize Committee (deceased in 2016)

Selection Committee

• Natan Sharansky, Committee Chairman, Chairman of the Executive, Jewish Agency for Israel
• Lord Jonathan Sacks, Emeritus Rabbi, United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth (completed term, April 2015)
• Peter Aven, Co- Founder, Genesis Philanthropy Group, Chairman, Supervisory Board, Alfa Bank
• Eli Groner, Director General, Office of the Prime Minister, Israel
• Harel Locker, Director General, Office of the Prime Minister, Israel (completed term, May 2015)
• Fiamma Nirenstein, Member of Parliament, Italy, 2008-2013
• Shlomit Barnea-Farago, Legal Advisor, Office of the Prime Minister, Israel
• Jack Rosen, Chairman, American Council for World Jewry
• Andres Spokoiny, President and CEO, Jewish Funders Network
• David Hatchwell Altaras, Chairman of EXCEM Grupo

Michael Bloomberg, 2014 Laureate

Genesis Prize laureate Michael Bloomberg

Michael R. Bloomberg was chosen as the first Laureate because of his many contributions in business, philanthropy, and public service, and his commitment to Jewish values and the state of Israel. At the announcement of his selection as the Genesis Prize Laureate, Bloomberg said, “Many years ago, my parents instilled in me Jewish values and ethics that I have carried with me throughout my life, and which have guided every aspect of my work in business, government, and philanthropy. The Genesis Prize embraces and promotes those same values and ethics — a common thread among the Jewish people worldwide that has helped move humankind forward for centuries.”^[18]

Commenting on Bloomberg’s selection, committee member Elie Wiesel said, “Mayor Michael Bloomberg sets a very high bar as the first recipient of the Genesis Prize,” said Nobel Prize Laureate Elie Wiesel. “It is a great honor for the entire Jewish people to celebrate his achievements, his commitment to improving the world, and in particular his city: New York. His pursuit of the agenda centered on health, innovation and social justice has been unwavering. We are certain that his selection as the recipient of the Genesis Prize will serve as an inspiration to young Jews and others across the globe.”^[19]

On May 22, 2014, Bloomberg was honored by hundreds of dignitaries from around the world as the inaugural Genesis Prize Laureate at a ceremony at the Jerusalem Theatre. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented the award. The celebration was hosted by comedian Jay Leno, and included performances by Grammy-award winning pianist Evgeny Kissin and singer Rita. Speakers included Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Genesis Philanthropy Group Co-Founder Mikhail Fridman, Bloomberg, and young leaders representing the voices of the Genesis Generation.^[20]

Genesis Generation Challenge

The Genesis Prize Foundation announced on May 22, 2014 that Michael Bloomberg would defer the award funds to a global competition, the Genesis Generation Challenge, to fund young adults’ ideas to better the world. The Genesis Generation Challenge was designed to “encourage teams of change agents from across the world to submit ideas for projects, guided by Jewish values, that demonstrate innovation and creativity in addressing the world's pressing issues.” ^[21]

The Genesis Generation Challenge officially launched on August 1, 2014. Competitors were given until September 30, 2014 to register online, and until October 28, 2014 to submit an application.^[22] On April 28, 2015, Michael R. Bloomberg, Michael Douglas, Natan Sharansky, Elie Wiesel and Stan Polovets announced the nine winners of the Genesis Generation Challenge at an event at Bloomberg Philanthropies. Each winning team received $100,000 to implement their idea. ^[23]

The nine winning projects are:^[24]

• Building Up
• eNable 3D Printed Prosthetics
• Friends of the Arava Institute
• LAVAN
• Prize4Life
• Sanergy
• Sesame
• Spark
• Vera Fellowship Program

Michael Douglas, 2015 Laureate

Genesis Prize Laureates Michael Bloomberg and Michael Douglas with Genesis Prize Co-Founder and Chairman Stan Polovets

On January 14, 2015, the Genesis Prize Foundation announced that actor Michael Douglas had been selected as the second Genesis Prize Laureate. In his career in film, Douglas has a body of work that has earned him accolades, including two Academy Awards, four Golden Globes, and an Emmy. In addition to film, Douglas is known for human rights activism, gun violence prevention, anti-nuclear proliferation, and passionate advocacy as a United Nations Messenger of Peace.^[25] Genesis Prize Co-founder and Chairman Stan Polovets stated that Douglas was chosen for "his professional achievements and for his passion for his Jewish heritage and the Jewish state. The Douglas family's experience of connecting with its heritage and embracing it on their own terms embodies an inclusive approach for Jews of diverse backgrounds."^[26]

With regard to being selected as the 2015 Genesis Prize Laureate, Douglas said “I share this award with my family, who encouraged me in my exploration of the Jewish faith. I hope these teachings and values will be part of the legacy in the world that I leave for my children and those who follow.” Douglas has said that he will donate the prize money to charities that promote Jewish inclusiveness.^[27][28]

On January 28, February 2, and February 3rd, 2016, Michael Douglas joined Natan Sharansky in visiting three U.S. universities, Brown University, Stanford University, and University of California at Santa Barbara respectively. Large events with students were held to discuss Israel, current day anti-Semitism, and inclusion in the Jewish community. The visits were co-hosted by the Genesis Prize Foundation, Hillel International, the local campus Hillels, and The Jewish Agency for Israel.^[29]

Avenues to Jewish Engagement for Intermarried Couples and their Families

On August 31, 2015, The Genesis Prize Foundation and the Jewish Funders Network announced the launch of “Avenues to Jewish Engagement for Intermarried Couples and their families.” This was a global matching grants initiative, in honor of 2015 Laureate Michael Douglas, which dispersed $3.3 million in grants to organizations promoting the engagement of intermarried families in Jewish life.^[30]

On May 22, 2016, the Jewish Funders Network, represented by Andres Spokoiny, along with the Genesis Prize Foundation, represented by Maxyne Finkelstein, and Michael Douglas, announced the 28 recipients of matching grants at the Jerusalem Post’s Annual Conference in New York. Winning organizations come from seven countries: the United States, Israel, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, and China.^[31]

IMAGINE: The Genesis Prize Design Competition

On July 2, 2015 The Genesis Prize Foundation announced the launch of a design competition for young artists and designers, to solicit designs for the Genesis Prize award trophy. The competition is called IMAGINE: THE GENESIS PRIZE DESIGN COMPETITION. The Foundation also announced that the Selection Committee would be chaired by Lord John Browne, Chairman of the Tate Gallery in London and former CEO of BP. Peter Aven, Trustee of the Royal Academy of Arts and Co-Chairman of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, will serve as Deputy Chairman of the Selection Committee. Mr. Aven is Co-Founder of the Genesis Prize Foundation and one of the leading art collectors in the world.^[32]

On June 1, 2016, The Genesis Prize Foundation announced the winner of IMAGINE. London-based artist Yoni Alter's winning design, titled “Higher and Higher,” consisted of ascending crystal glass pillars. The Selection Committee also made an honorable mention of four other designs: in second place, “The People Triangle” by Keren Kinberg and Jonathan Hadari, and tied for third place were “Creation” by Nadav Roiter and “Intersecting Stars” by Ariela Lenetsky. The committee also chose to commend “Maple Seed” by Adam Waimon on its distinctive qualities.^[33]

Itzhak Perlman, 2016 Laureate

On June 23, 2016, world-renowned and 16-time Grammy winning violinist Itzhak Perlman received the third annual Genesis Prize from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a ceremony in Jerusalem that was attended by politicians, businesspeople and philanthropists from around the world. The event, which was hosted by Academy Award-winning actress Helen Mirren,^[34] emphasized the importance of integrating disabled persons in all aspects of society and the impact Jews have had on music throughout history. ^[35] Also featured were speeches and presentations from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Genesis Prize Co-Founder Michael Fridman, 2016 Genesis Prize Itzhak Perlman and the evening’s emcee, Ms. Mirren.

A donation from philanthropist Roman Abramovich doubled the Genesis Prize award this year to $2 million. At the award ceremony, Itzhak Perlman announced that he will be re-gifting the funds: a portion of the funds will be directed to initiatives to support persons with disabilities in North America, and organizations will apply for matching grants from this fund through a process administered by Jewish Funders Network; a portion will be directed to initiatives to support persons with disabilities in Israel, and organizations will apply for grants through Matan; and the remaining portion will be directed to grants in arts and culture. ^[36]

Breaking Barriers

On September 12, 2016, the Genesis Prize Foundation and the Jewish Funders Network (JFN) launched “Breaking Barriers”, a matching grant program in honor of 2016 Genesis Prize Laureate Itzhak Perlman. The initiative will promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of Jewish communal life, echoing Mr. Perlman’s lifelong dedication to breaking barriers and creating a society fully inclusive for people of all abilities. ^[37]

In lieu of accepting the prize money, Mr. Perlman has allowed for the funds to be used promote inclusion and breaking barriers in both North America and Israel. In Israel, an additional $500,000 will be dispersed through grants from Matan-United Way Israel (www.matan.org.il). In North America a fund of $1 million was created with the additional generosity of philanthropist Roman Abramovich. This combined approach will generate over $3 million in new philanthropic investment through the matching grant initiative and the activity in Israel.

This is the second matching grant collaboration between the Genesis Prize Foundation and Jewish Funders Network, following the 2015 Avenues to Jewish Engagement for Intermarried Couples and their Families, in honor of the 2015 Genesis Prize Laureate Michael Douglas, which generated $3.3 million in new funds. These matching grant initiatives mobilize the philanthropic community to increase the number of funders and grant dollars supporting their respective causes.

References

External links

• Genesis Prize
• Genesis Generation Challenge
• Genesis Philanthropy Group