Bernstein Prize

The Bernstein Prize (Hebrew: פרס ברנשטיין) is an annual Israeli literary award for writers 50 years of age and younger. The prize is awarded by the Bernstein Foundation, named after Mordechai Bernstein, who left money in his estate to establish a foundation in order to encourage young Hebrew writers. The foundation is managed by Book Publishers Association of Israel. The prize has been awarded since 1978 to writers in following four categories: Original Hebrew-language novel (presented every year – 50,000 shekel prize). Book of original Hebrew-language poetry (presented every two years – 25,000 shekel prize). Book of original Hebrew-language for children and for young adults. Original Hebrew-language play (presented every two years – 25,000 shekel prize). Literary criticism (presented every two years – 15,000 shekel prize). For each category there are separate professional committees to determine the winners. The prize awards are the second largest prize purses in literature in Israel, exceeded only by the Sapir Prize.