2020 Genesis Prize
The 2020 Genesis Prize was awarded to Natan Sharansky.This was the seventh awarding of the Genesis Prize. Sharansky requested that his $1 million award go to organizations helping the most vulnerable impacted by COVID-19.
Background
Sharansky was honored in recognition of his life-long advocacy for human rights, democracy, service to the Jewish people and the State of Israel.[1][2] Sharansky was the first Genesis Prize winner to reside in Israel.[3]
Ceremony
Given the ceremony occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, it took place at the President’s House in front of a select audience.[4]
Aftermath
At the time, the world was in the midst of dealing with COVD-19. As such, Sharansky decided to donate his million dollar prize to help those impacted by it.[5] He donated some of the money to the Weizmann Institute of Science for drug and vaccine research.[6] Additionally, a competition for Israeli companies in the high-tech and biotechnology space was held, with the winners receiving grants from the funds awarded in Sharansky’s honor.[7][8]
References
- ^ "2020 Laureate". Genesis Prize. Retrieved 2025-03-12.
- ^ "Genesis Prize Ceremony to Honor 2020 Recipient Natan Sharansky". Jewish Agency. Retrieved 2025-03-12.
- ^ "Genesis Prize Foundation names Natan Sharansky 2020 winner". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2025-03-12.
- ^ "Natan Sharansky is awarded 2020 Genesis Prize". JNS. Retrieved 2025-03-12.
- ^ "Natan Sharansky, The Genesis Prize Foundation, and Start-Up Nation Central to award funds to entities offering tech solutions for COVID-19". Calcalist. Retrieved 2025-03-12.
- ^ "Natan Sharansky gives to Weizmann COVID-19 research". Weizmann Institute. Retrieved 2025-03-12.
- ^ "Sharansky Sponsors Firms Fighting COVID-19 With $1M Genesis Prize". No Camels. Retrieved 2025-03-12.
- ^ "Genesis Prize Foundation Announces Recipients of this year's Genesis Prize Grants to Organizations Fighting the Coronavirus Pandemic". eJewish Philanthropy. Retrieved 2025-03-12.