Genesis Prize

Not to be confused with Genesis Awards.
The Genesis Prize
Awarded forOutstanding expression of Jewish values or service to the Jewish community and/or to the State of Israel.
Date2013; 11 years ago (2013)
First awarded2014
Websitewww.genesisprize.org

The Genesis Prize (Hebrew: פרס בראשית) is a $1 million annual prize awarded to Jewish people who have achieved significant professional success, in recognition of their accomplishments, contributions to humanity, and commitment to Jewish values.

The prize was founded in 2012 with a $100 million endowment from five Russian businessmen: Mikhail Fridman, Pyotr Aven, German Khan, Stan Polovets, and Alexander Knaster.[1][2] The prize was established under the administration of the Genesis Prize Foundation, in partnership with the Israeli Prime Minister's Office[3] and the Jewish Agency for Israel.[4] It has been referred to as the "Jewish Nobel Prize", causing some commentators to question the need for a "Jewish" Nobel Prize.[5][6]

In 2018, prize winner Natalie Portman declined to attend the prize ceremony because Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was set to give a speech at the ceremony.[7] In 2019 Robert Kraft's award was also questioned because of his legal troubles.[8]

In 2021, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks was awarded a posthumous Genesis Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to his widow by the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog.[9]

Thus far, all laureates have opted to give the $1 million prize money to philanthropic causes of their choice.[10]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference nyt2013 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Herszenhorn, David M. (26 June 2012). "Russians Establish $1 Million Jewish Prize With Israel". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  3. ^ Kershner, Isabel; Specia, Megan (2018-04-20). "Natalie Portman Backs Out of Israeli Award Ceremony". The New York Times. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
  4. ^ "Elie Wiesel, Yuli Edelstein to help select Genesis Prize winner". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 25 March 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2016.
  5. ^ Dolsten, Josefin (February 22, 2019). "The Robert Kraft prostitute scandal is another PR headache for the 'Jewish Nobel' prize". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  6. ^ "Do the Jews really need their own Nobel Prize?". Jewish Journal (in Latin). March 7, 2019. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  7. ^ "Natalie Portman says not boycotting Israel, but Netanyahu for 'atrocities'". Jerusalem Post. April 21, 2018. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  8. ^ Dolsten, Josefin (February 23, 2019). "Robert Kraft prostitute scandal another PR headache for the 'Jewish Nobel' prize". The Times of Israel. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  9. ^ Cohen, Justin (November 22, 2021). "Rabbi Sacks posthumously given lifetime achievement award at London dinner".
  10. ^ "Natan Sharansky awarded the 2020 Genesis Prize". mfa.gov.il. December 24, 2020. Retrieved 2021-02-10.