The 12th annual Charles Bronfman Prize was awarded to Rebecca Heller, Director and Co-Founder of the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) at the Urban Justice Center, Monday, April 4 at the New-York Historical Society. In conversation with Tina Brown at the Awards Ceremony, Heller told Brown that “This wave of refugees isn’t that different from people going from port to port during World War II…I think what’s different is we’re calling them terrorists.” She went on to say that refugees are “survivors” and “that’s exactly who you want coming here.” The conversation was one of the highlights of the Awards Presentation, which was hosted by Ellen Bronfman Hauptman and Stephen Bronfman, and included powerful and moving remarks by Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella and Farah Al-Khafaji, an Iraqi refugee helped by IRAP.

The Charles Bronfman Prize today announced that Rebecca (Becca) Heller is the 2015 award recipient for her visionary work creating and enforcing a system of legal and human rights on behalf of refugees who are at risk. As the Director and Co-founder of the Iraqi Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) at the Urban Justice Center, Heller, 33, merges her legal background and her advocacy work with her humanitarian commitment, impacting hundreds of thousands across the globe. The Charles Bronfman Prize – and an accompanying $100,000 award – is presented annually to an innovative and dynamic humanitarian under the age of 50 whose work is informed by Jewish values and has global impact that changes lives and inspires future generations. The Prize will be presented to Heller by the Bronfman family in the fall of 2015.

September 17, 2014 –The 10th annual Charles Bronfman Prize was awarded Tuesday night to social entrepreneur Sam Goldman, founder and Chief Customer Officer of d.light design, a certified B Corporation dedicated to providing the most reliable, affordable and accessible solar lighting and power systems for the developing world. Charles Bronfman presented Goldman with the award at a ceremony attended by leaders in government, Jewish affairs, philanthropy and the emerging field of social entrepreneurship.

Marking its 10th anniversary, The Charles Bronfman Prize today announced that Canadian Sam Goldman, Founder & Chief Customer Officer of d.light design, an international social enterprise, is the 2014 award recipient.

Eric Rosenthal, a trailblazing global advocate for the rights of people with disabilities and Founder and Executive Director of an international human rights organization dedicated to ending their segregation and abuse, formally received the 2013 Charles Bronfman Prize today.

Eric Rosenthal, founder and executive director of a pioneering international human rights advocacy organization dedicated to ending the segregation and abuse of children and adults with disabilities, is the 2013 recipient of The Charles Bronfman Prize.

Eric Greitens, founder of an organization challenging post-9/11 veterans to build lives of purpose and helping them rejoin civilian life as productive and valued members of society, formally received The Charles Bronfman Prize for 2012 here today, recognized for embodying Jewish values, creating lasting impact and inspiring younger generations.