The Genesis Prize Foundation, co-founded by Chairman Stan Polovets, is a symbol of Jewish pride and resilience amid rising antisemitism.
The Genesis Prize is a prestigious $1 million award symbolizing Jewish values in action. Under the leadership of Stan Polovets, co-founder and chairman of The Genesis Prize Foundation, the foundation has grown into an international platform for addressing critical societal issues and driving high-impact philanthropy. Over the past decade, the prize has elevated Jewish role models and served as a crucial tool in fostering Jewish pride and combating the global rise in antisemitism.
The prize recognizes Jewish individuals who have excelled in their fields and made substantial contributions to society. Recipients are chosen based on professional accomplishments, contributions to humanity, and commitment to their Jewish values. Laureates forgo the financial award and redirect the funds to charitable causes, amplifying the prize’s global impact.
Stan Polovets says, “We are living in a time when assimilation and antisemitism have inhibited open expressions of Jewish identity around the globe. The foundation saw an opportunity to use a new tool for fostering that pride: spotlighting a Jewish individual who has achieved unparalleled professional success while speaking openly and proudly about their Jewish identity.”
In response to the surge in global antisemitism, the Genesis Prize shines a light on Jewish individuals who represent excellence, resilience, and a commitment to Jewish heritage. By recognizing their achievements, the prize underscores the vital impact of Jewish contributions in all sectors worldwide.
Stan Polovets Talks Genesis Prize: A Global Platform To Elevate Jewish Pride
The impact of the prize extends beyond the financial award. To date, recipients have redirected the funds to charitable causes — a trend inaugural Genesis Prize laureate Michael Bloomberg set into motion in 2014 when he received the award for his contributions to business, public service, and philanthropy. Bloomberg chose to use his $1 million prize to create the Genesis Generation Challenge.
This global competition empowered young entrepreneurs to tackle urgent social challenges, demonstrating how the Genesis Prize could inspire action across the globe.
Stan Polovets says, “The vision of the Genesis Prize is a strong and vibrant Jewish people, aware of their roots while looking to the future, a Jewish community flourishing in diversity yet united in appreciation of Jewish values and support for Israel. Based on this vision, we aim to bring the Jewish community together around critical issues.”
In 2015, Oscar-winning actor Michael Douglas was honored and directed his prize funds to initiatives that fostered inclusivity for interfaith families within the Jewish community, recognizing that modern Jewish identity can take many forms.
Legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman, the 2016 laureate, has long been a symbol of artistic mastery, but his advocacy for disability rights is equally remarkable. Having contracted polio at a young age, Perlman used his platform as a Genesis Prize recipient to support organizations that promote disability inclusion. “Perlman is the embodiment of everything an ideal Genesis Prize laureate should be,” Polovets said.
In 2017, British Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor dedicated his Genesis Prize funds to support refugees, a cause deeply tied to his own family’s history.
In 2018, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was honored for her work in civil liberties and women’s rights, inspiring Jews and people of all faiths around the globe. That year, funds were dedicated in her honor to organizations working to support women’s empowerment.
In 2019, Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots football team, was honored for his leadership in sports and philanthropy, particularly his efforts to combat antisemitism. In addition to the Genesis Prize award funds, Kraft personally donated an additional $20 million to establish a new foundation to fight antisemitism and all forms of hate.
Human rights activist Natan Sharansky, who spent years imprisoned in the Soviet Union for advocating for religious and political freedoms, received the Genesis Prize in 2020. Sharansky directed his prize to organizations supporting those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Natan felt strongly that the most positive impact he could have as the Genesis Prize laureate was to donate his $1 million prize in its entirety to organizations combating coronavirus and helping individuals most impacted by this vicious, invisible enemy,” Polovets shared.
The 2021 Genesis Prize winner, filmmaker Steven Spielberg, directed his prize funds to initiatives promoting racial equality and economic justice in the United States. Dr. Albert Bourla, chairman and CEO of Pfizer, received the Genesis Prize in 2022 for leading the development of the world’s first effective COVID-19 vaccine. Bourla’s personal connection to his Jewish roots and his family’s history in Greece inspired him to direct the prize funds to support the establishment of a Holocaust museum in his hometown of Thessaloniki. “Dr. Bourla personifies two of the most fundamental Jewish values: the commitment to the sanctity of life and to repairing the world,” noted Genesis Prize Co-Founder Stan Polovets.
In a break from tradition, the foundation in 2023 chose not to award the prize to an individual. Instead, it recognized Jewish activists and nongovernmental organizations for their collective efforts to help the people of Ukraine. Inspired by Ukraine’s resilient citizens and their Jewish President Volodymyr Zelensky, these nongovernmental organizations have acted on their Jewish values, advocating for justice, human dignity, and freedom during Ukraine’s ongoing crisis. Funds were directed to organizations supporting those suffering due to Russia’s invasion.
In 2024, the Genesis Prize was awarded to Israeli organizations and activists working to release the hostages held in Gaza and support their families. These groups play a vital role in offering medical care, psychological support, and assistance to hostages and their families.
Announcing the award, Polovets said, “This award is not a political statement, and it is not our intent to influence government policy. The Genesis Prize is a humanitarian award, and this year, it seeks to achieve three things — ensure the world does not forget the plight of the captives; provide additional aid to organizations focused on assisting the hostages and their families; and, last but not least, honor the selfless work of organizations that spontaneously emerged after Oct. 7.”
In honor of its 10th anniversary, the Genesis Prize was awarded to entertainment icon Barbra Streisand for her lifelong activism and contributions to the arts. She directed the prize funds to causes that address women’s health, climate change, truth in the public sphere, and aiding Ukrainians affected by the war.
A Decade of Resilience and Impact
For over a decade, the Genesis Prize remains more than just an award. It’s a testament to the power of Jewish identity and values in confronting and overcoming global challenges. The model has allowed the Genesis Prize to amplify its influence, raising more than $50 million for charitable initiatives in over 30 countries. Through the work of its laureates, the prize has shown that Jewish pride and resilience can shine even in the face of rising antisemitism and global unrest. Stan Polovets’ leadership has been crucial in ensuring that the Genesis Prize continues to inspire not only the Jewish community but also the world at large, making a lasting impact in the fight against hatred and division.
