2019 Genesis Prize

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The 2019 Genesis Prize was awarded to the National Football League's New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.[1][2] This was the sixth awarding of the Genesis Prize.[3][4]

Background

2019 Geneses Prize Laureate Robert Kraft
2019 Geneses Prize Laureate Robert Kraft

In January 2019, it was announced Kraft was chosen as the Genesis Prize laureate in recognition of his philanthropy, commitment to Israel, social justice, and equality. Kraft pledged to donate the $1 million award to combating anti-Semitism and efforts to delegitimize Israel.[5]

Controversy

Shortly after Kraft was announced the 2019 Laureate, he was charged with soliciting a prostitute at a Florida massage parlor.[6] The ceremony went ahead as planned[7][8] and in 2020, all charges were dropped against Kraft.[9]

Ceremony

Held at the Jerusalem Theatre, the ceremony was hosted by Martin Short.[10][11] A number of past and present New England Patriots players accompanied Kraft to Israel for the awarding of the prize, including Julian Edelman and Drew Bledsoe.[12]

Aftermath

Kraft personally donated $20 million to seed the creation of the Foundation to Combat Anti-Semitism (later rebranded as the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate, which has become well known for its Super Bowl commercials.)[13][14][15] Philanthropist Roman Abramovich later added $5 million, and an anonymous donor committed an additional $5 million. In addition to starting this foundation, a competition “Speak Out for Israel” was run to identify and award grants to Israeli organizations working to combat antisemitism and delegitimization of Israel.[16]

References

  1. "Genesis Prize Laureate Robert Kraft grants $50,000". Jewish Agency. Retrieved 2026-04-28.
  2. "Robert Kraft To Receive Warm Welcome In Israel". CBS News. Retrieved 2026-04-28.
  3. "Robert Kraft receives 2019 Genesis Prize from Israel". WSPN. Retrieved 2026-04-28.
  4. "Israel Honors Patriots Owner Kraft Amid Prostitution Case". WBUR. Retrieved 2026-04-28.
  5. "New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft wins Israel's prestigious Genesis Prize". Times of Israel. Retrieved 2026-04-28.
  6. "Trailed by prostitution scandal, Robert Kraft ready to feel the love in Israel". Times of Israel. Retrieved 2026-04-28.
  7. "Genesis Prize co-founder to 'Post': We stand with Robert Kraft". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2026-04-28.
  8. "Israel honors Pats' Kraft with Genesis Prize". ESPN. Retrieved 2026-04-28.
  9. "Solicitation charges dropped against New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft". CNN. Retrieved 2026-04-28.
  10. "Robert Kraft, Receiving Genesis Prize, Announces Foundation To Combat Anti-Semitism". Forward. Retrieved 2026-04-28.
  11. "Robert Kraft's Genesis Prize Ceremony". Genesis Prize. Retrieved 2026-04-28.
  12. "Patriots players accompany Robert Kraft on trip to Israel". Times of Israel. Retrieved 2026-04-28.
  13. "Robert Kraft's Foundation to Combat Antisemitism Will Air Its Second Super Bowl Ad". Ad Week. Retrieved 2026-04-28.
  14. "The Blue Square Returns in $10M Campaign to Combat Rising Jewish Hate". Ad Week. Retrieved 2026-04-28.
  15. "Here's the Super Bowl ad that cost Robert Kraft $7 million". Mass Live. Retrieved 2026-04-28.
  16. "Robert Kraft Launching $1 Million Competition to Fight BDS". Hadassah Magazine. Retrieved 2026-04-28.