Genesis Prize
| The Genesis Prize | |
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| 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. |
| Date | 2013 |
| First awarded | 2014 |
| Official website | www |
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. The prize was founded with the objective of inspiring and developing a sense of pride and belonging among young unaffiliated Jews throughout the world.
There have been four Genesis Prize Laureates: Inaugural Laureate Michael R. Bloomberg (2014); Michael Douglas (2015); Itzhak Perlman (2016); and Anish Kapoor (2017).
Michael R. Bloomberg directed his award toward a competition for social entrepreneurs, Michael Douglas focused on the issue of inclusion of intermarried families in the Jewish community and Itzhak Perlman on integrating people with disabilities into all aspects of society. Anish Kapoor will direct his $1 million toward helping alleviate the ongoing global refugee crisis.
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.
The Genesis Prize 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.
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.
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.
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