Dame Helen Mirren to host 2016 Genesis Prize Award Ceremony in Jerusalem

The Genesis Prize Foundation has announced that the award- winning actress Dame Helen Mirren will emcee the 2016 Genesis Prize award ceremony, which will take place on June 23rd in Jerusalem. The 2016 Genesis Prize to the acclaimed violinist, educator and advocate for individuals with disabilities, Itzhak Perlman.

The Genesis Prize is a $1 million annual award given to individuals who have achieved extraordinary professional success, have made a significant contribution to humanity, and inspire others through their engagement and dedication to the Jewish community and the State of Israel. The inaugural Genesis Prize – dubbed by Time magazine as “The Jewish Nobel” – was awarded to New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. Academy-award winning actor, producer and peace activist Michael Douglas received this award in 2015. Genesis Prize laureates have traditionally re-gifted their $1 million awards to charitable causes of their choosing.

“We are honored that Dame Helen Mirren, an actress of such talent and accomplishment, will host the 2016 Genesis Prize ceremony and help us celebrate the extraordinary life and achievements of Itzhak Perlman,” said Co-Founder and Chairman of the Genesis Prize Foundation, Stan Polovets. “Dame Mirren has been an outspoken supporter of Israel, and we look forward to the elegance and grace she will bring to the Ceremony.”

In addition to participating as host of the Genesis Prize award ceremony, Dame Mirren will be a featured guest at a program at the Jerusalem Cinemateque, where she will speak about her craft. The Cinemateque will also run a retrospective of Mirren’s films during the week of June 20th.