By: Zach Miller
The Genesis Prize Foundation and co-founder Stan Polovets honor Barbra Streisand’s activism, recognizing her lifelong contributions to social justice.
At an award dinner in Los Angeles honoring 10th anniversary Genesis Prize laureate Barbra Streisand, attendees celebrated her legendary entertainment career and enduring humanitarian legacy. The iconic singer, actress, director, and author accepted the award, recognizing her extraordinary artistic talents and activism for social justice causes worldwide. While the 82-year-old has cemented her place in entertainment history through her professional achievements, her activism, and philanthropic impact may be her most important contribution.
Stan Polovets, co-founder of The Genesis Prize Foundation, stated, “The entire world knows and adores Barbra Streisand as a singer, actress, and director. Yet her important and passionate work to pursue social justice and fight discrimination and inequality should be as well known. Today we celebrate Ms. Streisand’s leadership in tackling some of the important social problems our society has faced over the past five decades, her indefatigable activism, and her countless philanthropic endeavors rooted in her Jewish values and upbringing. We honor her exemplary connection to her Jewish identity. This connection inspires and empowers her to be a force for good in this world — just as our Jewish tradition prescribes.”
The Genesis Prize recognizes the superstar’s enduring commitment to being a force for good driven by her cultural heritage. From advocating for LGBTQ rights and gender equality to raising awareness about the AIDS epidemic and climate change, she’s championed vital humanitarian causes for over five decades. Streisand’s philanthropy stems from her deep commitment to the Jewish principle of tikkun olam — the notion of repairing the world.
One of her earliest career-defining roles came in 1964 when she starred as Fanny Brice in the musical Funny Girl on Broadway, for which she earned a Tony Award nomination. This opened the doors to Hollywood, where Streisand made her film debut playing the same role in the 1968 cinematic version of Funny Girl. Her powerful vocals and acting skills garnered Streisand the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Streisand cemented her status as an icon throughout the 1970s with critically acclaimed performances in films like The Way We Were and A Star Is Born, the latter earning her a second Oscar for Best Actress in 1976. Her talents extended beyond acting as she broke ground, becoming the first woman to direct a major Hollywood picture with the 1983 drama Yentl. The story is set in the early 20th century in Eastern Europe and centers on Yentl Mendel, a young Jewish woman who disguises herself as a man to pursue her passion for studying Talmudic law, a privilege reserved only for men.
Streisand is also a powerhouse in the music industry. She’s recorded 36 studio albums and sang countless sold-out concerts. With her jazz-infused soprano and impeccable vocal control, she both breathed new life into American standards and show tunes and released her own original hits like “People” and “The Way We Were.” Streisand’s unmistakable sound and transcendent stage presence solidified her as one of the influential singers of her time.
Whether bringing complex characters to life on screen or pouring raw emotion into recordings, Streisand’s artistry has reached incomparable heights. She is one of only 19 entertainers to achieve EGOT status by winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony; she is a once-in-a-generation talent.
Streisand’s Far-Reaching Activism
Streisand’s passionate advocacy has often occurred outside the spotlight.
From protesting the Vietnam War and confronting racial inequality to championing environmental protection, Streisand’s moral compass has guided her to support pivotal social movements. In addition, she has dedicated much of her time and attention to equality for women, with one of her significant contributions being the establishment of the Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Center at Cedars-Sinai, which aims to advance research and treatment for heart disease in women.
As with all previous Genesis Prize laureates, Streisand chose to forgo the $1 million financial award, which was donated in her honor to multiple nonprofits advancing women’s health, climate initiatives, truth in public discourse, and vital aid for Ukrainians suffering from the ongoing conflict. This purposeful allocation of funds encapsulates Streisand’s holistic approach to philanthropy.
For more information on Barbra Streisand’s legacy of philanthropy, watch The Genesis Prize Foundation’s documentary highlighting her decades-long fight to create a more just, fair, and inclusive world — both on and off-screen.
Previous Genesis Prize honorees have similarly directed their monetary prize toward causes reflecting Jewish values like inclusivity, human rights, equality, and service to others.
An Enduring Legacy
As the Genesis Prize commemorates its landmark 10th year, Barbra Streisand’s recognition underscores the lasting impact one individual can have through principled activism.
In bestowing this honor, Stan Polovets and The Genesis Prize Foundation have illuminated how Jewish ethics can inspire good in the world. Streisand’s ceaseless efforts serve as a vital reminder that each person’s actions hold the potential to create meaningful change.
“We honor her exemplary connection to her Jewish identity,” stated Stan Polovets. “This connection inspires and empowers her to be a force for good in this world — just as our Jewish tradition prescribes.”
What began as an annual $1 million award has blossomed into a philanthropic force generating over $50 million for worthy causes since the Genesis Prize’s inception in 2013. This incredible impact spans 31 countries through funding for more than 230 nonprofit organizations — initiatives directly improving the lives of tens of thousands across the globe.
Presenting the Prize: Stan Polovets’ Diverse Career
Co-founding The Genesis Prize Foundation to honor those embodying Jewish values was a natural extension for Stan Polovets, given his multifaceted background. As chairman of the Nasdaq-listed biopharmaceutical company Anchiano Therapeutics Ltd., he spearheaded the company’s noble mission of advancing cancer treatments.
In the energy sector, Polovets was CEO of the AAR Consortium, a private equity firm boasting over $25 billion in investments globally. His strategic vision as chairman for Russia and Eastern Europe at PR titan Edelman further evidences his business acumen across industries.
Stan Polovets has also held management and advisory roles with entities like ExxonMobil, KPMG, EY, The Rand Corporation, and URALSIB Bank and he has also given back to academia and learning through board positions at esteemed institutions like New York University and Stanford University.
Stan Polovets and The Genesis Prize Foundation have honored Barbra Streisand for what she represents to the world as an unparalleled, accomplished individual who cares deeply about healing the world, and is driven by her Jewish values. Her tireless activism reminds us all that our actions hold the potential to better the lives of others and leave a lasting imprint. The Genesis Prize will undoubtedly motivate future generations to embrace their power as catalysts for inclusion and equality and to repair a fractured world.
Published by: Holy Minoza
