Russian philanthropists take Bloomberg to the ball
28 May 2014
Billionaire debutants behind the Genesis Prize look to influence the wider Jewish world and inspire pride among young Jews
JERUSALEM (JTA) — There were ballerinas, a full dance ensemble, soloists, a harpist, a video tribute to Jewish luminaries in multiple fields, a multimedia orchestra performance celebrating the enduring light of creation, a speech from the prime minister, stand-up from Jay Leno, and an audience packed with top Jewish communal movers and shakers from both sides of the Atlantic. Officially, it was a night at the Jerusalem Theater to honor former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg with the first $1 million Genesis Prize for embodying Jewish values in achieving excellence in the spheres of business, politics and philanthropy. Bloomberg made a day of it, appearing with Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat to discuss urban innovation and holding a briefing with the media before showing up for the grandiose ceremony to take home what some are calling the Jewish Nobel.
In his multiple day jobs, Bloomberg is used to occupying center stage, but in the Jewish world, not so much. Before becoming mayor in 2002, his public Jewish and Israel profile was admittedly limited as the founder of a major financial software and media company. And other than a handful of high-profile trips to Israel (accompanied by sizable philanthropic gifts to Israeli health care and emergency services), things didn’t change much during three terms as New York mayor. credit: Haim Zach/GPO/Flash90)
JERUSALEM (JTA) — There were ballerinas, a full dance ensemble, soloists, a harpist, a video tribute to Jewish luminaries in multiple fields, a multimedia orchestra performance celebrating the enduring light of creation, a speech from the prime minister, stand-up from Jay Leno, and an audience packed with top Jewish communal movers and shakers from both sides of the Atlantic.
Officially, it was a night at the Jerusalem Theater to honor former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg with the first $1 million Genesis Prize for embodying Jewish values in achieving excellence in the spheres of business, politics and philanthropy. Bloomberg made a day of it, appearing with Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat to discuss urban innovation and holding a briefing with the media before showing up for the grandiose ceremony to take home what some are calling the Jewish Nobel.
In his multiple day jobs, Bloomberg is used to occupying center stage, but in the Jewish world, not so much. Before becoming mayor in 2002, his public Jewish and Israel profile was admittedly limited as the founder of a major financial software and media company. And other than a handful of high-profile trips to Israel (accompanied by sizable philanthropic gifts to Israeli health care and emergency services), things didn’t change much during three terms as New York mayor.
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So the festivities in Jerusalem provided a unique chance for official Jewishdom to celebrate Bloomberg as one of its own. '''But he wasn’t the only debutant at the ball — it was also a coming-out party of sorts for the organizers, the Russian businessmen-philanthropists behind the Genesis Philanthropy Group
They have been on the scene for nearly a decade, but most of their philanthropic resources and energies have been dedicated to supporting Jewish identity-building initiatives for Russian-speaking Jews around the world. The launch of the Genesis Prize was aimed at influencing the wider Jewish world, inspiring Jewish pride among young people by shining a spotlight each year on one Member of the Tribe who has made a big impact in the world. As with much of what they do, they did it big. For starters, there was the $1 million in prize money and a $100 million endowment to back it up, plus a formal partnership with the Prime Minister’s Office and the Jewish Agency for Israel. The prize selection process boasted two living Jewish legends, Natan Sharansky and Elie Wiesel. Then there was Bloomberg himself — and his willingness to embrace the role. And, finally, the packed celebration in Jerusalem.
Along the way, some commentators and communal insiders scratched their heads. Why do we need a Jewish Nobel? (Or, as Leno quipped, isn’t the Nobel the Jewish Nobel?) What exactly are the Jewish values being recognized? Isn’t there someone more deserving (or more in need of the money)? Some answers emerged, but they will probably provoke as many questions as they resolved. The prize honors a laureate “whose actions, in addition to their achievements, embody the character of the Jewish people through commitment to Jewish values, the Jewish community and/or to the State of Israel.”
https://www.timesofisrael.com/russian-philanthropists-take-bloomberg-to-the-ball/