The Latest From The Foundation

Dispatches from the network and updates from the Foundation.

CONGRATULATIONS TO: Ilana Aisen, WGF Alum (Class 20), on becoming Executive Director of JPRO Network. Cheryl Drazin, WHP Alum (Dallas 13), on becoming Regional Director for the Anti-Defamation League. Steven Exler, WGF Alum (Class 17), on being invited by President Barak Obama to speak at the White House Hanukkah Party. Ari Gauss, WGF Alum (Class 13), on receiving the Richard M. Joel Exemplar of Excellence Award from Hillel International. Stephen

In light of the current US election, 36 Minutes LIVE returns to offer insight into the burning issue of healing a divided nation, striving for a “good” society of potential and hope for the United States and to explore how to move away from the feelings of cynicism and despair that have prevailed over the last year. In that spirit, President of The Wexner Foundation, Rabbi Elka Abrahamson will speak

Pictured (left to right): Gordon Hecker, WHP Alum (Columbus 00) now President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Columbus; Larry Moses, Senior Philanthropic Advisor and President Emeritus, The Wexner Foundation; and Morissa Freiberg, Director of Education, Congregation Beth Tikvah The Wexner Foundation and the Jewish Federation of Columbus hosted their 15th annual reception in honor of Columbus Jewish community professionals on Thursday, November 3, 2016.  More than 90 people attended. One of

CONGRATULATIONS TO: Robin Axelrod, WGF Alum (Class 8), on being appointed to the Governor’s Council on Genocide and Holocaust Education by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder. Julie Finkelstein, WGF Alum (Class 23), on receiving the JPRO Network Young Professional Award. Sam Goldman, WHP Alum (San Francisco 11), on being honored at the San Francisco Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund’s annual Day of Philanthropy by receiving the 2016 Lloyd W. Dinkelspiel

36 Minutes LIVE: Elul 5776 just concluded today. We held sessions with four scholars from around the world: the recently knighted Madame Le Rabbin Delphine Horvilleur; Chief Rabbi of Denmark, Rabbi Jair Melchior and two faculty who are already cherished by many in our network — Rabbi Ed Feinstein (CA) and Talmud Scholar and former MK (Knesset Member) Ruth Calderon (Tel Aviv).  Each session is worth watching and the exploration of the Unetaneh Tokef prayer with

IN MEMORIAM: Our deepest condolences to the Rifkind family on the death of David Rifkind, WHP Alum (Los Angeles 2).  CONGRATULATIONS TO: Rafi Cashman, WGF Alum (Class 22), on becoming Head of School at Netivot HaTorah Day School. Zev Eleff, WGF Alum (Class 22), on being a 2016 National Jewish Book Council Award finalist for his book, Who Rules the Synagogue?: Religious Authority and the Formation of American Judaism. Fran

 כָּל מַחֲלֹקֶת שֶׁהִיא לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם, סוֹפָהּ לְהִתְקַיֵּם. וְשֶׁאֵינָהּ לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם, אֵין סוֹפָהּ לְהִתְקַיֵּם. אֵיזוֹ הִיא מַחֲלֹקֶת שֶׁהִיא לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם, זוֹ מַחֲלֹקֶת הִלֵּל וְשַׁמַּאי. וְשֶׁאֵינָהּ לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם, זוֹ מַחֲלֹקֶת קֹרַח וְכָל עֲדָתוֹ Any dispute that is “for the sake of Heaven” is destined to endure , but one that is “not for the sake of Heaven” is not destined to endure.  What is a dispute that is

The Jewish Funders Network International Conference will be taking place this March in Atlanta.  Together with The Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation and The Jim Joseph Foundation, please join us for drinks and networking with our members, fellows, alumni and friends. Monday, March 20, 2017 9:00 – 11:00 pm Whiskey Blue in the W Atlanta in Buckhead (Five minute walk from the Grand Hyatt Buckhead) RSVP to Aliza Tick

Last week, Wexner members and alumni gathered together online for the first of our new videoconference series, “Beyond the Book.”  Rabbi Larry Hoffman unpacked his essay, “The 10 Commandments for Leaders,” and called upon each participant to bring their own 11th Commandment, which are shared below. We hope you will join us for the next call in this series, coming up on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 with WIF Alum Daniel Taub (Class

Nine years ago today our teacher, mentor and friend Rabbi Herbert A. Friedman, z”l, founding president of what was then known as the Wexner Heritage Foundation, died at the age of 89.  We are honored to commemorate Herb’s yahrzeit with the announcement of a remarkable project that will enable Herb’s extraordinary legacy of service to the Jewish people and the State of Israel to endure in perpetuity.   Our chairmen,