Awarded “Jewish Nobel” for his commitment to Israel, social justice and equality, Kraft will use the $1 million award to combat anti-Semitism and efforts at de-legitimization of Israel.
By World Israel News Staff
The Genesis Prize Foundation announced that owner of the New England Patriots football team and American philanthropist Robert Kraft will receive its 2019 Genesis Prize.
In a statement announcing its new laureate, the Genesis Prize Foundation said, “The annual $1 million Genesis Prize, dubbed the ‘Jewish Nobel’ by Time Magazine, honors extraordinary individuals for their outstanding professional achievement, contribution to humanity, and commitment to Jewish values and Israel.”
Israel’s prime minister will bestow the prize on Kraft at a gala ceremony in Jerusalem in June.
“I am honored to receive the Genesis Prize and thank the Genesis Prize Foundation for its recognition and willingness to direct my prize monies to such worthy causes,” said Kraft, who will use the money toward efforts to fight prejudice.
“This award amplifies my ability to raise both awareness and additional funds to fight anti-Semitism, attempts to delegitimize Israel and other forms of prejudices. It is important that we continue to support organizations that focus on combating prejudices by building bridges and uniting people of different backgrounds,” he said.
Kraft, who was born in a religiously observant Jewish home, has spoken out publicly and donated generously to organizations combating prejudices, including anti-Semitism and the delegitimization of the State of Israel.
The foundation noted in its statement announcing the award that anti-Semitism has shown an “alarming resurgence” in recent years.
The Genesis Prize Foundation suffered an embarrassment last year when its laureate, Hollywood actress Natalie Portman, after initially accepting the prize, announced her refusal to attend the ceremony for political reasons. The award, which had been doubled to $2 million by a donor excited that Portman was to receive it, was not given to the actress. However, she received the prize, but not the monetary award, in absentia.