Genesis Prize 2016

Israeli-American violinist Itzhak Perlman (70) has been awarded 2016 Genesis Prize which is also known as Jewish Nobel prize. He has been bestowed with prestigious prize for his accomplishments as a musician, teacher and advocate for the disabled and also for his commitment to his Jewish identity. Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu will present the award to Mr. Perlman at the June 23, 2016 award ceremony to be held in Jerusalem. About Itzhak Perlman Perlman was born in Tel Aviv in 1945 in then British Mandate of Palestine now Israel. At age four he was contracted polio and his legs were permanently paralyzed. He uses crutches or an electric Amigo scooter for mobility and plays the violin while seated. He had played the violin solo in John Williams’ Oscar-winning soundtrack for the film Schindler’s List in 1993. He also has performed with or conducted the world’s top symphony orchestras, and has been a regular guest at White House events. He has won 16 Grammys award including a lifetime achievement award in 2008. In November 2015 he was awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honour. About Genesis Prize Genesis Prize also dubbed as Jewish Nobel prize was established in 2014. It is jointly run in between the Israeli Prime Minister’s office, Private Genesis Prize Foundation and Chairman’s office of the Jewish Agency. The Prize carrying 1 million US dollars is given annually to an individual who has achieved professional success, contributed to humanity and shown a strong commitment to Jewish causes and the state of Israel. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg was first the recipient of the prize.