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Dispatches from the network and updates from the Foundation.
Dec 2015
The Wexner Foundation wishes you and yours a Happy Hanukkah in 5776. May you shine your light and pierce the darkness!
Nov 2015
The ultimate identity crisis After Jacob stole the blessings intended for Esau in Parshat Toldot, he was forced to run for his life. He flees to the home of his uncle Laban in Charan, which is a home of idol worship and deceit. Jacob, who was raised in a home of morality, ethics, monotheism has to leave his sheltered environment and goes into a home of dishonesty where they
Nov 2015
Fourteen years ago, both my parents died in a car accident. How does one cope with such a tragedy? I was immediately transformed from child to orphan. My siblings, each of whom made aliyah many years ago, and I decided immediately on burial in Israel. Thanks in part to help from the Jewish community network, we were able to handle the complicated arrangements. But my story is about what happened
Nov 2015
This first-hand account of the terror in Paris was written by Aaron D. Panken, WGF Class 8, and first appeared on JTA’s website on Monday, November 16, 2015. PARIS (JTA) — My son and I met in Paris on Friday morning, walked the charming streets of the City of Light, visited the Picasso and Pompidou museums, then went to synagogue at the MJLF (Mouvement Juif Libéral de France), one of
Nov 2015
As the world mourns the loss of innocent life in Paris, I, like many, struggle to confront my feelings; Paris, Jerusalem, New York City and so many places around the world, have witnessed a common evil that must be confronted by a unified civil world. As we all declare our solidarity, sympathy and empathy with Paris and her citizens, we must question what it really means to do so. Yes,
Nov 2015
Pictured from right to left: Marcia Cohodes, WHP Alum (Minneapolis), Stephen Hazan Arnoff, WGF Alum (Class 13) and Ofer Chen, current WIF (Class 27), meet each other at The Wexner Foundation Reception. Ofer Chen, current WIF (Class 27): My favorite thing about the GA was the feeling of a special connection bonding all participants from so many places and opinions into one community, and allowing each of us to approach others and
Nov 2015
Celebrating Mordy’s JPRO Young Professionals Award at the Wexner Reception at the GA. Pictured (from left to right): Rabbi Jay Moses (Director, Wexner Heritage Program; WGF Alum, Class 5), Jordanna Birnbaum Amsel (WGF Fellow, Class 27), Cynthia Bernstein (WGF Alum, Class 22), Rabbi Elka Abrahamson (President, The Wexner Foundation), Mordy Walfish (WGF Alum, Class 22) and Or Mars (Director, Wexner Graduate Fellowship/Davidson Scholars Program; WGF Alum, Class 6). The following is
Photo and article reprinted with permission from The Jewish Journal I have a vivid memory of sitting in my yeshiva high school principal’s office, imploring him to start teaching the girls Mishnah and Gemara, to offer a little more respect to our intellects and our souls by giving us access to all the Jewish texts that form the basis of our heritage, of what we were expected to live every
Nov 2015
Recently, I was sifting through photos of National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) volunteers meeting with young girls in the lines at Ellis Island to save them from becoming victims of sex trafficking, and had an “aha moment” — one of those moments where we become fully clear and grateful about how and why we are committing our lives to Jewish service. I had accepted the role of NCJW’s Associate Director
Nov 2015
I just started a blog a few days ago. The focus will be on investing in Israel — for profit and for idea — with stories ranging from investing in Israeli ventures, stocks, as well as in people, philanthropic projects and Israeli organizations. I want to explore all the various ways of investing in Israel’s present and future for my own selfish reasons, as someone for whom Israel’s strength and prosperity are