Genesis Prize Cofounders Natan Sharansky and Stan Polovets, with Advisor to the GPF Chairman Sana Britavsky and 2023 Genesis Prize honorees
FEB 24, 2025: Today, The Genesis Prize Foundation (GPF) commemorated the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with a special event at the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation in Tel Aviv. The event was held to honor the 2023 Genesis Prize honorees – Jewish activists and NGOs helping to alleviate the suffering of the Ukrainian people – as they fight to maintain their freedom and independence.
Over 40 representatives of 21 NGOs shared lessons from their work in Ukraine over the last three years and offered perspectives on current needs associated with the ongoing war and potential consequences of the peace settlement into which Ukraine may be forced by the Trump administration.
Stan Polovets, Co-Founder and Chairman of The Genesis Prize Foundation, hosted the event and said: “For over 1000 days, Ukraine has been in an existential fight against an enemy threatening its sovereignty. From the outset of the war, Jewish activists and NGOs, many from Israel, immediately sprang into action, providing assistance to those in dire need. We are proud to honor these organizations and support their work in helping the Ukrainian people in their quest to live freely in security and peace.”
The event was co-hosted by Natan Sharansky, Co-Founder and Chairman of GPF’s Advisory Board. Sharansky was born in Donetsk, which was annexed by Russia in September 2022. Actor and activist Liev Schreiber also took part in the event by video from New York City, along with several representatives of BlueCheck Ukraine, the NGO he co-founded to provide humanitarian assistance in Ukraine. Other organizations participating in the commemoration included NATAL, United Hatzalah, The Jewish Agency for Israel, HIAS, Hillel, JCC Association of North America, and Tikva.
Founder and President of United Hatzalah Eli Beer said: "We are deeply grateful to The Genesis Prize Foundation for their leadership and generous funding. At United Hatzalah, our mission is to provide lifesaving assistance to those facing the most critical humanitarian crises. With the support of GPF and others, we are able to focus our attention on delivering aid to those who need it most.”