Genesis Prize Presented to NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg

 Former New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg was honored by hundreds of dignitaries from around the world as the inaugural Genesis Prize Laureate at a ceremony at the Jerusalem Theatre. The Genesis Prize aims to honor and enhance Jewish identity around the world and spark a far-reaching and inclusive conversation about Jewish values, culture and heritage – and is known as the Jewish Nobel Prize.

Amongst those who commended Bloomberg included Jay Leno who was MC of the event.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented the $1 million Genesis Prize to Bloomberg, saying;

“Genesis Prize is awarded to an exceptional person who embodies the Jewish tradition and Jewish values. Our most important tradition is that we cherish our heritage but always strive for new things. We think of challenges and solutions and this is also the guiding principle of the State of Israel. We have achieved extraordinary things in 66 years and impressed the world. We achieve these things, because we are rooted in our traditions yet in the same time touching the future – in technology, science, breakthrough innovation. And nobody is deserving of this award more than Michael R. Bloomberg.”

Accepting the first annual Genesis Prize, Bloomberg said, “Freedom. Justice. Service. Ambition. Innovation. These values have guided me through life. I think they’re the same values that have guided the Jewish people through adversity and exile, poverty and plagues – right up to the creation of Israel. They are the reason Israel has such a remarkable start-up spirit, and why it has become such a powerful driver of progress in tech, medicine, and communications. To the future awardees in the Genesis Generation, I offer a few words of advice: follow your convictions. Think big. Take chances. Believe that tomorrow can be better than today – and understand that it’s your responsibility to help make it so.”

The Genesis Prize seeks to recognize individuals who have attained excellence and international renown in their chosen professional fields, and whose actions, in addition to their achievements, embody the character of the Jewish people through commitment to Jewish values, the Jewish community and/or to the State of Israel. The Prize is administered by a partnership that includes the Office of the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, the Genesis Philanthropy Group (GPG), and the Office of the Chairman of the Executive of the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI). Genesis Philanthropy Group (gpg.org) has established an endowment in the amount of $100 million to launch the Genesis Prize Foundation, as well as fund the prize and related young adult engagement activities.

Photo credit: Michael Bloomberg – courtesy Rubenstein & Wikipedia