Legendary entertainer Barbra Streisand has been honored with the prestigious Genesis Prize in recognition of her longstanding commitment to Jewish values and Israel.

Upon accepting the 10th anniversary prize in Los Angeles on Thursday, Streisand eloquently invoked the eternal ethic of tikkun olam.

“I am moved by the Jewish tradition of tikkun olam, which means to repair the world,” the celebrated Jewish actress told the audience. “According to Jewish teachings, compassion is one of the highest virtues. I believe in the power of love and prayer, and I pray that people will eventually be able to live together in peace.”

Throughout her iconic career, the multi-talented Streisand has leveraged her massive platform to be a prominent voice for the Jewish people and Israel on the world stage. She helped rally global Jewry in the fight to free Soviet Jews, has championed Israel’s right to a secure homeland, and continues utilizing her celebrity to counter the cultural boycott of Israel.

She has made significant donations to top Israeli institutions like the Peres Center, Hebrew University, Wolfson Medical Center, and the Jewish Federation’s Emergency Israel Fund which provided critical aid after the horrific October 7 Hamas massacre.

With the $1 million Genesis Prize purse, Streisand has reportedly allocated funds to an array of important nonprofit groups embodying Jewish values like the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), which advocates for the ancestral Jewish tradition of welcoming refugees. Her philanthropic priorities also include support for Ukrainians suffering under Russian aggression and organizations combating the climate crisis.