I have nominated Ethan Zohn, the winner of Survivor Africa who used his $1 million winnings to help start Grassroot Soccer, for the 2008 Charles Bronfman Prize.

The Prize celebrates the vision and talent of an individual or team 50 years of age or under, whose humanitarian work has contributed significantly to the betterment of the world. Its goal is to bring public recognition to young, dynamic individuals whose Jewish values infuse their humanitarian accomplishments and provide inspiration to the next generations.

An internationally recognized panel of Judges selects the Prize recipient(s) and bestows an award of $100,000

Here's a copy of my letter of recommendation:

It is with great pleasure that I nominate Ethan Zohn for the Charles Bronfman prize as one of today’s Jewish heroes. Thrust into overnight celebrity status as 25 million viewers watched him the Survivor Africa show, Ethan used his celebrity status and $1 million winnings to help start Grassroots Soccer, addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa. He has also supported many other philanthropic efforts as a participant, spokesperson, or supporter.

In my professional career, I have had the opportunity to meet several world-changers when they were young. I met Bill Gates shortly after he dropped out of Harvard, Steve Jobs when he founded Apple Computer, and Tim Berners-Lee when he was inventing the World Wide Web. Looking back, I see a common thread in their youthful personalities and outlooks - a certain laser-like focus on their purpose.

I recognize this focus in Ethan, burning to teach, participate, and inspire others to work towards a better world. I did not realize, when I met him at our first Uplift Academy workshop in 2004, that the depth and the purity of his purpose was so deeply founded in his Jewish faith, a testament to his ability to communicate and move people both inside and outside of his faith.

In today’s media-saturated world, it is all too easy to find headlines of celebrities gone bad. Ethan’s story is a wonderful counterbalance to these stories, and is credible to a wide demographic – young and old, people of all faiths (or none), and of all countries. He is a living “show me, don’t tell me” case study in better-world activities. He is a wonderful role model – a young, hip celebrity, with a very touching personal story and commitment to making the world a better place based on his Jewish values.

He used his winnings and celebrity to co-found Grassroots Soccer with Dr. Tommy Clark, an innovative organization dedicated to educating young people about HIV/AIDS using local soccer stars. GRS is flourishing throughout Africa, and Ethan would donate his prize money to furthering its growth.

Ethan credits his success in Survivor Africa to being “selfless in a selfish game.” When he was ridiculed in the game for being Jewish, Ethan used this as an opportunity to teach and educate another person, and to “stick to my principles, respect my culture, and teach someone something they didn’t know that day.”

He has made it a point to be involved with Jewish philanthropy the rest of his life “Winning that million made me take a good hard look at who I was, and although the apartment and new car would make me happy, I wanted to be the type of person who used his power and big check to mak

He speaks of his transformation: “being stuck in Africa with now family, no ATMs, no friends, no congregation…all I had with me were he clothes on my back and my one luxury item of choice: a hacky sack. And once I became aware that this knowledge of self is all one needs to survive and prosper, I ended up giving away my hacky sack to a little Kenyan kid… in the instant of handing it over I began to understand it is better to give than to receive… that is how all of us can begin to change the world.”

“Another part of my Jewish upbringing that helped me win is that I’m a proud Jew and a teacher. I was a leader. Not the guy who would stand up and bark orders, but rather the guy who would lead by example. Actions speak louder than words… And while I’m certainly proud of winning Survivor, I’m more proud of knowing and understanding what it was that helped me – my Jewish upbringing – embracing it wholeheartedly, embracing it publicly, and embracing it personally.”

Recognizing Ethan Zohn with the Bronfman award as one of today’s Jewish heroes would grow the work he has already started, amplify his voice as a global role model of a philanthropist/humanitarian, propagate a very strong positive image of Jewish values, and help launch Ethan on the next step of his life’s journey. Ten years from now, I can safely predict that the foundation would look back to his nomination as a shining example of the success of their prize efforts.

I hope that the selection committee finds Ethan’s clarity of purpose, focus, charisma, integrity, energy, creativity, communication skills, track record, and Jewish values make him the idea awardee for the 2008 Charles Bronfman Prize.

This is Ethan's presentation at the October, 2006 Uplift Academy workshop, "New Media for Infectious Good:"

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-7JepNLlXU

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Video of Ethan Zohn and Dr. Tommy Clark receiving the Courage of Conscience award:

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