Michael Bloomberg's Genesis Prize Ceremony

On May 22, 2014, former New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg received the inaugural Genesis Prize at a ceremony at the Jerusalem Theatre in Jerusalem, Israel.

The evening’s celebration, emceed by comedian Jay Leno, included performances by Grammy award winning pianist Evgeny Kissin and Israeli beloved singer Rita.

Accepting the first annual Genesis Prize, Mayor Bloomberg said:

"Freedom. Justice. Service. Ambition. Innovation. These values have guided me through life. I think they’re the same values that have guided the Jewish people through adversity and exile, poverty and plagues – right up to the creation of Israel. They are the reason Israel has such a remarkable start-up spirit, and why it has become such a powerful driver of progress in tech, medicine, and communications. To the future awardees in the Genesis Generation, I offer a few words of advice: follow your convictions. Think big. Take chances. Believe that tomorrow can be better than today – and understand that it’s your responsibility to help make it so."