$1 million prize to be awarded for Jewish achievements in science, arts
‘This is an important step for the cohesion of our people and symbolizes its unity around Jewish values,’ says Prime Minister
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu anounced on Tuesday a new international prize to be awarded to Jews who win global recognition due to their achievements in the fields of science and the arts.
The Genesis Prize, worth $1 million, to be financed by the Genesis Philanthropy Group, will be awarded by Israel’s prime minister annually in a ceremony to be held during the Passover holiday. Organizers say the goal of the prize is to emphasize the contribution of Jews to world history and draw the younger generation of Jews around the world closer to the State of Israel and Jewish identity.
The prize selection committee will be chaired by the Jewish Agency Chairman and composed of retired judges and Diaspora Jewish community leaders, as well as Prime Minister’s Office and Genesis Philanthropy Group representatives.
“The prize symbolizes Jews’ great contribution to human development and will be a source of pride for young Jews around the world, ” said Netanyahu. “This is an important step for the cohesion of our people and symbolizes its unity around Jewish values.”
“The development and strengthening of Jewish identity in Israel and the Diaspora constitutes an incentive for the welfare of humanity as a whole. Only by being completely aware of their link to the values of the Jewish heritage can modern Jews fully realize their creative potential,” said Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky.
“The Genesis Prize emphasizes the contribution of the Jews to world history. Far-reaching achievements in science, the arts, business, medicine, diplomacy and other fields of human endeavor have been realized thanks to the Jewish People’s natural aspiration to improve the world and to its desire to pass its moral values on to coming generations,”said Genesis Philanthropy Group founder Mikhail Fridman.
