On Nov. 9, 2024, The Genesis Prize Foundation’s chairman and co-founder Stan Polovets joined 5,000 Israelis in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square to kick off a march for the return of 101 hostages being held in Gaza. He described the emotions of march participants as “outrage and anger that Hamas continues to hold hostages for over 400 days, combined with disbelief that the Israeli government and the international community have not been able or willing to force the release.” But he remains hopeful, encouraging the world to stay engaged: “Do not forget. Do not give up. Do not lose hope. Do not let up on pressuring governments to demand the release of 101 hostages still held in unspeakable conditions.”
Polovets also met with rescued hostage Luis Har at the rally. The Argentinian-Israeli grandfather of 10 was freed by an Israeli army raid in February, after 129 days in captivity. “Luis told me that he feels lucky to be alive and will not stop speaking out on behalf of those who remain in captivity,” says Polovets. It’s a promise he’s already keeping; just days after the gathering, Har met with Pope Francis to share his experience.
The Genesis Prize Makes Impact Count
The November rally marked another milestone in The Genesis Prize Foundation’s commitment to the families of Israeli hostages. The first was when the foundation used its prestigious annual Genesis Prize award to honor five Israeli nongovernmental organizations working to free hostages and support their families.
“These volunteers are an inspiring example of Jewish strength and unity who have already earned a place in the history of the Jewish people and Israel,” Stan Polovets says. “The 2024 Genesis Prize is a recognition of their indomitable spirit and the inspiration they have provided to all people of conscience around the world.”
Standing with families in Hostage Square, Polovets reflected on the foundation’s work to amplify their voices. He says, “The families expressed appreciation that our foundation shined a spotlight on the hostage issue this year through honoring these dedicated NGOs.”
The Genesis Prize Foundation’s response to the hostage crisis builds on its track record of strategic philanthropy. Since 2013, the organization has directed more than $50 million of its own and its philanthropic partners’ funds to over 230 organizations across 31 countries, pioneering an innovative model in which laureates redirect their $1 million awards to urgent causes.
The foundation’s unique approach to giving transforms individual recognition into collective action. Each laureate’s decision to redirect their award creates ripple effects, generating matching funds and building sustained support for crucial causes. Then, the foundation leverages the power of its network of laureates and partner organizations to create multilayered support systems.
Previous laureates have directed their awards to support refugees, address humanitarian crises, and fight hate. As an example, 2019 Genesis Prize recipient Robert Kraft, the owner of the NFL’s New England Patriots football team, personally pledged an additional $20 million to launch the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism. “In combating the scourge of antisemitism, my solemn ambition is to counter all forms of intolerance in the spirit of the ancient Jewish value of tikkun olam — to heal and repair the world,” Kraft said.
It’s a dynamic example of the principle at the core of Stan Polovets and The Genesis Prize Foundation’s work: prioritizing practical impact over symbolic gestures. “We can — and must — do more,” he insists.
Other philanthropists who have contributed their own funds to the Genesis Prize initiatives include Michael Bloomberg, Steven Spielberg, and Morris Khan.
Moving With Purpose To Free the Hostages
German ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, speaking in Hebrew at the Hostage Square rally in Tel Aviv, inspired Polovets and the 5,000 attendees with his words: “The German government and millions in Germany won’t give up. We’re with the hostages as long as it takes. I promise the families we’re always thinking what else we can do, constantly asking ourselves if there’s more to be done.”
The hostage crisis received renewed attention on Nov. 14, when Pope Francis met with 16 former hostages and relatives of current captives at the Vatican. In addition to Har, he sat down with 39-year-old Adi Shoham. She was freed after 50 days, but her husband remains captive. She lost her father, aunt, and uncle in a 2023 terrorist attack.
Gaya Kalderon, 22, was also at the meeting. “Our life is hell; we don’t really have a life anymore,” Gaya told reporters at the Vatican, speaking of her father’s ongoing captivity. One hundred and one hostages remain in Gaza, their families anxiously waiting for news of their loved ones.
Polovets says he has “admiration for the hostages who have been released and continue to tirelessly advocate for those still held in captivity.”
Stan Polovets on Practical Steps Forward
For Stan Polovets and The Genesis Prize Foundation, the path forward remains clear: Maintain pressure on the Israeli government and international leaders, including U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, support organizations providing direct assistance, and ensure the world remembers those still waiting to return home. Their work demonstrates that effective philanthropy combines immediate response with sustained commitment to change.
“I personally, and The Genesis Prize Foundation, will continue to do all that we can to ensure that the hostages are released and that their families are cared for,” Polovets says. This commitment extends beyond immediate crisis response to long-term support for affected families.
But he knows that the work requires effort at all levels to be successful. “Prime Minister Netanyahu is key to securing the release of the hostages,” he notes. “Write to [Netanyahu’s] office — along with President Biden and President-elect Trump, urging all of them to do everything they can to bring them home.”
That’s not the only way to secure freedom for the hostages, who include seven American citizens among them. Polovets maps out other specific ways the global Jewish community can strengthen their support for hostage families. Financial support to nongovernmental organizations working directly with families remains crucial, he explains, while maintaining consistent public attention through social media campaigns, letters to editors, and opinion pieces helps prevent the crisis from fading from public consciousness.
Polovets also emphasizes that Jewish communities worldwide must keep the hostage issue at the forefront of their concerns. His guidance includes a practical component: Jewish communities in the United States should open their doors to host hostage families during their advocacy visits, which would provide crucial support for their international outreach efforts.
“Do not forget them, nor let them be forgotten,” Stan Polovets urges.