The Genesis Prize Foundation announced Robert Kraft, American philanthropist and owner of the New England Patriots football team, as the 2019 Genesis Prize recipient according to a statement.
Kraft will be awarded the annual $1 million Genesis Prize, also known as the “Jewish Nobel” by Time Magazine for his commitment to Israel, social justice and equality.
According to the statement the award “honors individuals for their outstanding professional achievement, contribution to humanity, and commitment to Jewish values and Israel.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will present the award to Kraft at a gala ceremony in Jerusalem this 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,” Kraft said in a statement. “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.”
Kraft was raised in an observant Jewish home and his various foundations have given away close to a half-billion dollars to charity, focusing on education, healthcare and programs that foster cultural diversity and interfaith understanding. Kraft is also one of the largest donors to Jewish and Israeli causes, as well as a major investor in the Israeli economy.
Kraft, as past recipients have done, is choosing to forgo the $1 million monetary award so that funds can be granted, in his honor, to Jewish organizations.
The Patriots owner has spoken out publicly over the past decade and has donated to organizations combating prejudices, including anti-Semitism and the delegitimization of the State of Israel.
Kraft’s Major League Soccer team, the New England Revolution, will host Chelsea Football Club (UK) in a benefit match at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, in May.
“We are delighted to welcome Robert Kraft to the outstanding family of Genesis Prize Laureates,” co-founder and chairman of the Genesis Prize Foundation Stan Polovets said. “I cannot think of a more worthy laureate to follow U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Like Ginsburg, Kraft has spent most of his life advocating for a more just society, tolerance and inclusiveness. He is one of the world’s most generous philanthropists whose charitable giving reflects the Jewish value of tikkun olam – repairing the world.”
The Genesis Prize is a world-renowned award established by The Genesis Prize Foundation in 2013 to celebrate Jewish achievement and contribution to humanity.
