2016 Genesis Prize Laureate Winner

I arrived in Jerusalem in time to attend a reception at Mayor Nir Barkat's home for 2016 Genesis Prize laureate winner, violinist Itzhak Perlman and celebrity emcee, Helen Mirren.

Itzhak Perlman

The Genesis Prize was founded in 2012 as a million dollar 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 by the Office of the Prime Minister of Israel, Genesis Philanthropy Group, and the Jewish Agency for Israel with the objective of inspiring and developing a sense of pride and belonging among young unaffiliated Jews throughout the world. 

This is matched with another million dollars in grants toward organizations for disabled by the Jewish Funders Network which I co-chair. 

Congratulations to the 2016 Genesis Prize Laureate, Itzhak Perlman, the world's preeminent violinist. Mr. Perlman received the Genesis Prize in June for his exceptional contributions as a musician, teacher, advocate for individuals with disabilities, dedication to Jewish values and the State of Israel. 

He is the third recipient of the Genesis Prize, following Michael Bloomberg and Michael Douglas, all of whom donated their prize money to their favorite causes. 

Bloomberg gave his to innovative technology nonprofit startups, Douglas to organizations helping Jewish intermarried families and Perlman to organizations for the disabled.