Genesis Prize Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids The Genesis Prize

Date	2013; 12 years ago (2013)
First awarded	2014

The Genesis Prize (Hebrew: פרס בראשית) is a special award given each year. It honors people who have achieved great success in their careers. The prize recognizes their accomplishments, their contributions to humanity, and their dedication to Jewish values. The award is $1 million. There are also Genesis Lifetime Achievement Awards for people who have made a lasting impact.

Understanding the Genesis Prize
- How the Prize Started
- Important Moments in Prize History
Choosing the Winners
- Who Selects the Laureates?
- Public Involvement in Selection
Genesis Prize Winners
- Meet the Genesis Prize Laureates
Laureates by Country
See also

Understanding the Genesis Prize

How the Prize Started

The Genesis Prize began in 2012. It was created with a large fund of $100 million from five Russian businesspeople. These founders were Mikhail Fridman, Pyotr Aven, German Khan, Stan Polovets, and Alexander Knaster. The prize is managed by the Genesis Prize Foundation. They work with the Israeli Prime Minister's Office and the Jewish Agency for Israel. Some people have called it the "Jewish Nobel Prize."

Important Moments in Prize History

In 2018, the actress Natalie Portman was a prize winner. She chose not to attend the award ceremony. This was because Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was scheduled to speak. In 2019, the award given to Robert Kraft also raised some questions. This was due to his legal issues at the time.

In 2021, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks received a special Genesis Lifetime Achievement Award. This award was given after his passing. The President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, presented it to his wife.

As of December 2020, all winners have chosen to give their $1 million prize money away. They donate it to charities and good causes that they care about.

Choosing the Winners

Who Selects the Laureates?

The people who choose the Genesis Prize winners are part of a special committee. They are selected because they are leaders and support Jewish causes. Past and present committee members include important figures like Elie Wiesel, Meir Shamgar, and Nathan Sharansky.

Public Involvement in Selection

In 2020, the Genesis Prize Foundation allowed the public to get involved. People could nominate and vote online for the 2021 Genesis Prize winner. Nearly 200,000 Jewish people from all over the world participated in this voting. However, the final decision for the winner is still made by the two main committees.

Genesis Prize Winners

Meet the Genesis Prize Laureates

Year	Laureate		Main occupations	Country	Reason for Award
2014		Michael R. Bloomberg	mayor of New York City, co-founder and CEO of Bloomberg L.P.	United States	For his excellent public service and his role as a great giver to charity. Bloomberg donated his award to a competition for young adults. This competition funded ideas to solve big problems.
2015		Michael Douglas	actor, film producer	United States	For his work as an actor and producer. Also for his strong support for human rights and peace as a UN Messenger of Peace. He also showed a strong passion for his Jewish heritage. Douglas's award helped create a program. This program supported families where one parent was Jewish and the other was not.
2016		Itzhak Perlman	violinist	Israel / United States	For overcoming big personal challenges to become one of the world's greatest musicians. He is also a great humanitarian. The prize money was doubled by a donation from Roman Abramovich. Perlman then gave the funds to programs that help people with disabilities. He also supported arts and culture.
2017		Anish Kapoor	sculptor specializing in installation art and conceptual art	United Kingdom / India	As one of the most important and creative artists of his time. Kapoor said he would use his $1 million award to help with the Syrian refugee crisis. He wanted to encourage the Jewish community to help refugees globally.
2018		Natalie Portman	Actor	Israel / United States	In recognition of her dedication to social causes. Also for her strong connection to her Jewish and Israeli background. The prize money was doubled by a donation from Morris Kahn. Portman said she would donate her award funds to programs that support women's equality, education, and health.
2018		Ruth Bader Ginsburg	associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States	United States	For her work in creating a fair and just society. A society that offers equal chances for everyone. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the first person to receive the Genesis Lifetime Achievement Award.
2019		Robert Kraft	CEO of the Kraft Group, owner of the New England Patriots	United States	In recognition of his charity work and his efforts to fight against hatred towards Jewish people. Kraft's prize money was given to projects that fight against prejudice.
2020		Natan Sharansky	Soviet dissident, Chairman of the Executive for the Jewish Agency	Israel	In recognition of his role as a strong supporter of freedom and human rights. His prize money was used to find new ways to help with the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021		Steven Spielberg	filmmaker, the most commercially successful director in history	United States	For his contributions to movies and music. Also for his charity work and efforts to remember the Holocaust. His prize money was donated to U.S. charities working for fairness for all people.
2021		Rabbi Lord Johnathan Sacks	Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth	United Kingdom	For his amazing role in inspiring young Jewish people. Also for his lifelong work teaching Jewish values and promoting understanding between different religions and cultures.
2022		Albert Bourla	veterinarian, CEO of Pfizer	Greece / United States	For his leadership and determination. He took a big risk which led to the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine being ready very quickly.
2023	Jewish activists and NGOs supporting Ukraine				For their work to support Ukraine's independence. Also for helping to reduce the suffering of the people in Ukraine.
2024	Israeli organizations supporting hostages and their families				For providing care, advice, and support to hostages who were released or rescued, and their families.
10th Anniversary		Barbra Streisand	singer, actor, director	United States	For six decades of Streisand’s contributions to movies and music. Also for her dedication to making the world a better place.
2025		Javier Milei	President of Argentina	Argentina	For his clear support of Israel during a very difficult time. This refers to the Gaza war.