The Genesis Prize Foundation has announced actor, singer, director, author, and activist Barbra Streisand as the winner of the 2023 Genesis Prize.

Now in its 10th year, the annual $1 million award honors individuals for their professional achievement, contributions to humanity, and commitment to Jewish values. In line with previous honorees, Streisand chose to forgo the $1 million prize; instead, she directed the funding to nonprofit organizations working to protect the environment, promote women’s health, combat disinformation in the media, and aid the people of Ukraine.

Born in Brooklyn, Streisand attended an Orthodox girls’ yeshiva. Recognized internationally in numerous entertainment fields, she is one of only 23 people—including eight women—to have achieved EGOT status (winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award). In addition, she has received the American Film Institute’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the Kennedy Center Honor, the National Medal of Arts from President Clinton, the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama, and France’s Légion d’Honneur. As an activist and philanthropist, Streisand has donated—and raised—millions of dollars to address some of the most pressing issues of our time, and through her foundation has provided funding to more than 2,000 nonprofit organizations and causes. Recently, Streisand assumed the role of ambassador for United 24, an organization that provides humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Earlier this year, the Genesis Prize Foundation contributed to United 24 in her honor.

“I am delighted to be honored by the special 10th Anniversary Genesis Prize and to work with the Genesis Prize Foundation to support organizations that seek to better society and our shared humanity,” said Streisand. “I am very proud of my Jewish heritage and have always been moved by the Jewish tradition of tikkun olam, to repair the world. I hope to join and inspire others in their own commitment to build a better world.”

(Photo credit: National Institutes of Health via Wikipedia)