In February, it was announced that Steven Spielberg had been selected to receive the Genesis Prize, an honor referred to as the “Jewish Nobel” and given to individuals for outstanding professional achievements, contribution to humanity and commitment to Jewish values.
Today, the iconic filmmaker and humanitarian has announced, in partnership with the Genesis Prize Foundation, that the $1 million award he received will be doled out to 10 nonprofits that center work on racial and economic justice in the U.S. On top of that, Spielberg and wife Kate Capshaw will match the gift with another $1 million contribution to the organizations.
Selected to receive the grants are Avodah; Black Voters Matter; Collaborative for Jewish Organizing; Dayenu – A Jewish Call to Climate Action; Jews of Color Initiative; Justice for Migrant Women; National Domestic Workers Alliance; Native American Rights Fund; One Fair Wage and Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.
“America is facing a crisis and our responsibility is to act now — so that America can be ‘America again, The Land that has never been yet, And yet must be,’ ” said Spielberg in conjunction with the news, quoting poet Langston Hughes. “Judaism and Jewish history begin with two narratives: Genesis and Exodus, stories about creation and liberation from oppression, about the discovery of the moral voice and of human dignity. From these accounts come the ethical precepts commanding us to work for a more just and equitable world.”
He continued: “Honored to be among the Genesis Prize Laureates, I am both granting my award prize and Kate and I are matching the contribution with funds from our foundation to inspiring social justice organizations – Jewish and secular – that are on the front lines of the struggle for a more equitable America. We admire these organizations for their honesty and moral imagination, and urge all those who share this vision to join us, so that the work of these non-profits may continue and grow.”
The move to forgo the monetary award and instead gift it to philanthropic causes has become something of a tradition. Several Genesis Prize Laureates have done the same including Michael Bloomberg, who funded startups engaged in social entrepreneurship based on Jewish values; Itzhak Perlman, who supported programs that lifted up those living with disabilities; and sculptor and activist Anish Kapoor, who used his award to fund organizations working to alleviate the refugee crisis.
Showing the significance of today’s news, President Joe Biden offered his congratulations to Spielberg via letter, a portion of which was included in today’s release. “Steven, I am inspired by the ways in which your Judaism has compelled you to confront the ugly forces of hate and intolerance with the healing power of truth and love. This is a timeless struggle and is a worthy cause to which I proudly join you in pledging my devotion,” Biden wrote.