2020 Genesis Prize

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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.

Natan Sharansky, winner of the 2020 Genesis Prize

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

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