Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Genesis Philanthropy Group founder Mikhail Fridman and Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky announced yesterday the establishment of the Genesis Prize, the “Jewish Nobel Prize” – an international prize which will be awarded to Jews who have achieved international recognition in their professional field.

The goal of the prize is to emphasize the contribution of the Jews to world history and draw the younger generation of Jews around the world closer to the State of Israel and Jewish identity.

In announcing the prize, Genesis Philanthropy Group founder Fridman said, “The Genesis Prize emphasizes the contribution of the Jews to world history. Far-reaching achievements in science, the arts, business, medicine, diplomacy and other fields of human endeavor have been realized thanks to the Jewish People’s natural aspiration to improve the world and to its desire to pass its moral values on to coming generations. This tradition of the Jewish People must continue.”

Speaking at length earlier today with eJP, Sharansky discussed the development of the Prize concept and how both he and Fridman felt strongly about conveying to young Jews the importance of being both successful while at the same time being proud of their Jewish identity. Sharansky continued, “With all the other Prize awards that have been established, that is the uniqueness of the Genesis Prize.”

The Genesis Prize – established with an endowment  funded in perpetuity by the Genesis Philanthropy Group – will be awarded by Prime Minister Netanyahu at a annual ceremony held in Israel during the Spring.

The prize selection committee will be chaired by Sharansky and will be composed of retired judges and Diaspora Jewish community leaders, as well as representatives of the Prime Minister’s Office and Genesis Philanthropy Group. The prize winner will be chosen in a multi-stage process from among a group of nominees, each of whom feel a link to the Jewish People and the State of Israel and are an exemplar for the younger generation.