June 26, 2012

By David M. Herszenhorn

MOSCOW — A charity founded by Russian Jewish billionaires is establishing a $1 million annual award for excellence in virtually any field, to honor those people who attribute their success to Jewish values. The prize will be administered in partnership with the Israeli government, highlighting the strong ties between Israel and Russia.

The award, called the Genesis Prize, will be financed by an endowment of about $50 million set up by three of Russia’s so-called oligarchs: Mikhail M. Fridman, Pyotr Aven and German Khan, among others. Its creation was announced on Tuesday by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, where President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia was wrapping up a 24-hour visit, though Mr. Putin did not attend the announcement event. Read more