2014 Genesis Prize

The 2014 Genesis Prize was the first awarding of the prize that Time Magazine dubbed “The Jewish Nobel.”[1] The inaugural Genesis Prize laureate was Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York City, founder and CEO of Bloomberg L.P. and founder/chairman of Bloomberg Philanthropies.[2]

Background

The prize was founded in 2012 and in October 2013,[3] Bloomberg was announced as its first recipient.[4] He was chosen for his "track record of outstanding public service and his role as one of the world's greatest philanthropists".[5]

Ceremony

The award ceremony took place at the Jerusalem Theater in May 2014.[6] The ceremony was hosted by comedian Jay Leno, with performances from pianist Evgeny Kissin and Israeli singer Rita. The prize was presented by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and co-founder/chairman of The Genesis Prize Foundation Stan Polovets.[7][8]

Starting a tradition that every subsequent laureate would follow, Bloomberg declined the financial part of the award and used the $1 million prize money[9] to launch a global competition, the Genesis Generation Challenge.[10] The goal of the competition was to identify young adults' “big ideas to better the world.”[11]

Aftermath

In April 2015,[12] nine projects were selected for funding: Building Up, eNable 3D Printed Prosthetics, Friends of the Arava Institute, LAVAN, Prize4Life, Sanergy, Sesame, Spark, and the Vera Fellowship Program.[13]

References

  1. ^ "Bloomberg Is First 'Jewish Nobel Prize' winner". Time. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  2. ^ "Bloomberg Is First to Receive a $1 Million Jewish Award". New York Times. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  3. ^ "Bloomberg Is First to Receive a $1 Million Jewish Award". New York Times. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  4. ^ "New York Mayor Bloomberg to be awarded the 'Jewish Nobel Prize'". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  5. ^ "NYC mayor Bloomberg wins first 'Jewish Nobel'". Times of Israel. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  6. ^ "Michael Bloomberg Receives Genesis Prize Honoring Life Achievements in Public Service, Philanthropy and Entrepreneurship". eJewish Philanthrophy. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  7. ^ "Genesis Award Ceremony 2014". Think Content. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  8. ^ "Bloomberg Is First to Receive a $1 Million Jewish Award". New York Times. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  9. ^ "Bloomberg Wins $1 Million Prize — and Gives It Back". Boston. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  10. ^ "Bloomberg to use inaugural Genesis Prize for new fellowship". JTA. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  11. ^ "Bloomberg to give away $1m. Genesis Prize to fund big ideas based on Jewish values". Times of Israel. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  12. ^ "Bloomberg's Genesis Prize money goes to work". JTA. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
  13. ^ "Bloomberg Philanthropies Announces Genesis Generation Challenge Winners". eJewish Philanthrophy. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
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