Gift of Life’s Founder and Executive Director, Jay Feinberg, was the inaugural recipient of the Charles Bronfman Prize in 2004.  He was delighted to join fellow honorees at the International Conference of the Jewish Funders Network (JFN) held in early March in Miami Beach.  The conference coincided with the ten year anniversary of the Charles Bronfman Prize and was the first time all 11 recipients (there were two recipients in 2009) gathered in one place to commemorate and share their collective experiences. 

 

The Charles Bronfman Prize celebrates the vision and endeavour of an individual or team under 50 years of age whose humanitarian work has contributed significantly to the betterment of the world.  Its goal is to bring public recognition to dynamic young innovators whose Jewish values infuse their humanitarian accomplishments, providing inspiration for generations to come.  Jay described his fellow laureates as, “Giants of human action and spirit who have used their talents and resources to fix the world.”  He added, “I am honored to know them." 

 

The core of JFN’s work is to create opportunities that bring members together to exchange ideas and share experiences toward creating effective philanthropy.  The organization’s members consist of more than 900 funders from all over the world including individual philanthropists, family foundations and foundation professionals.  The International Conference attracted over 350 attendees who gathered to share innovative thinking in the philanthropic community and enjoy extensive networking opportunities. 

 

At a special dinner held at the home of philanthropists Shelley and Joel Tauber, Jay and fellow recipients had the opportunity to speak about their work and share thoughts on how the Prize has changed their lives.  They also expressed their special affection for Charles Bronfman himself.  Jay said, “Through my experience as a bone marrow transplant recipient, I hope that I am able to promote the Jewish value of tikkun olam with even a fraction of Charles Bronfman’s success.  If I have, then I have fulfilled my mission.”

 

In describing how his Jewish values guide his daily work, Jay explained, “I was raised to believe that all Jews are responsible for each other, and I embrace this philosophy each day. I have found great personal satisfaction in advocating for the rights of others, both individually — one patient at a time— and collectively, by helping to impact public policy.”  Thanks to the Charles Bronfman Prize and the Jewish Funders Network, Gift of Life  has attracted the attention of some of the world’s most influential philanthropists who can all agree that giving a second chance at life to patients in need is among the greatest gifts anyone can give.