The retired host of the Tonight Show, Jay Leno, will be traveling to Jerusalem to host an award ceremony in the Jerusalem Theater on 22 Iyar 5774. It will be his first time in Israel.

Invited guests include Nobel Prize recipients and, international business leaders, philanthropists and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. Grammy award-winning pianist Evgeny Kissin, who made aliyah last year and Israeli singer Rita will perform at the event.

Leno and the prime minister will present former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg with the first Genesis Prize. The prize includes a $1 million cash component, endowed by the Genesis Philanthropy Group, which will be awarded annually in partnership with the Prime Minister’s Office and the Jewish Agency.

According to the prize’s website, the award is a symbol of a movement to honor Jewish identity around the world and recognize achievements of individuals who “embody the character of the Jewish people” by their commitment to the State of Israel.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)