Israeli-American violinist Itzhak Perlman has been awarded  the Jewish Nobel 2016 for his accomplishments as a musician, teacher and advocate for the disabled. The Genesis Prize is given each year to an individual who has achieved professional success, contributed to humanity and shown a strong commitment to Jewish causes and the state of Israel. The $1 million prize, launched in 2014 and dubbed by Time magazine as “the Jewish Nobel,” is awarded by the Genesis Prize Foundation.

Perlman, 70, has won 16 Grammys, including a lifetime achievement award in 2008, and played the violin solo in John Williams’ Oscar-winning soundtrack for the 1993 film “Schindler’s List.” He has performed with or conducted the world’s top symphony orchestras, and has been a regular guest at White House events. Last month, he received the US Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is slated to present the award to Perlman at the June 23 ceremony in Jerusalem. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg was the recipient of the first prize, and actor Michael Douglas was this year’s winner.

Mesmerizing Music by Itzhak Perlman