Karen Tal, an Israel educator who works with disadvantaged youth and pursues opportunity through education for those at the lowest rungs of Israeli society, formally received The Charles Bronfman Prize here on September 7.

Karen Tal, who as principal of a school serving one of the most economically challenged and socially diverse student populations in Israel, has created and grown a model institution that infuses young lives with hope and grabs success and achievement from despair, is the 2011 recipient of The Charles Bronfman Prize.

In an unprecedented decision, The Charles Bronfman Prize today announced that two prizes will be given this year, each accompanied by a $100,000 award. Both recipients are being recognized for their outstanding accomplishments in the field of Human Rights: Jared Genser, Founder of Freedom Now, for his tireless defense of prisoners of conscience worldwide; and Sasha Chanoff, Founder of Mapendo International for his extraordinary efforts rescuing and resettling at-risk and forgotten African refugees.

‘Breathtakingly singular’ is how The Honorable Madame Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella of the Supreme Court of Canada describes the accomplishments of Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) founders Mike Feinberg, 40, and Dave Levin, 39. Accepting recognition for their work to transform the face of public education in the United States and the promise of its application abroad, the two men took to the podium at New York’s Powerhouse at the American Museum of Natural History to receive the 2009 Charles Bronfman Prize and to share their thoughts about the future of KIPP.

Rachel Andres, 45, took the podium at New York’s Morgan Library & Museum to accept The Charles Bronfman Prize 2008 in recognition of her humanitarian contribution to female survivors of the Darfur genocide.

As the world stands aghast watching the genocide unfold in Darfur, one determined woman will be awarded the 2008 Charles Bronfman Prize for her visionary humanitarian efforts to improve the lives of thousands of Darfur’s female survivors.

The Charles Bronfman Prize will award Dr. Amitai Ziv its 2007 humanitarian prize. Ziv, 48, is the founder and director of the Israel Center for Medical Simulation (MSR), and Deputy Director of Sheba Medical Center, the largest and most comprehensive medical institution in Israel.