Israel awards N.Y. mayor $1M prize

JERUSALEM Israel on Monday recognized New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg as the first recipient of the $1-million Genesis Prize, an award popularly dubbed the “Jewish Nobel Prize.”

The Genesis Prize Foundation said Bloomberg was honoured as the first winner for his long record of public service and philanthropy.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will present the prize to Bloomberg early next year in Israel.

Bloomberg said he was honoured to be the first recipient.

“Many years ago, my parents instilled in me Jewish values and ethics that I have carried with me throughout my life, and which have guided every aspect of my work in business, government, and philanthropy,” he said in a statement.

“The Genesis Prize embraces and promotes those same values and ethics — a common thread among the Jewish people worldwide that has helped move humankind forward for centuries.”

Bloomberg, whose last term as mayor is ending, beat 200 other nominees for the prize.