The Latest From The Foundation

The following d’var torah set the tone for one of our days at the Wexner Summit on Civil Discourse, which brought together close to 60 of our alumni dedicated to raising the level of dialogue across difference in the North American Jewish Community and Israel. A few months ago I started a new job as Dean of Students in the Divinity School at the University of Chicago. I am responsible for the learning

In photo: WGFA Jonathan Schreiber (Class 5) who spoke to beloved Senior Advisor Cindy Chazan along with WHP Alum Archie Gottesman (Metrowest 08), Many of our alumni gathered for a late night party to honor Cindy who will be retiring a the end of this year. WGF Alum Aaron Dorfman (Class 14) Loved the Wexner party for Cindy because she said, “I printed my remarks in large font so you could

Being from Montreal, perhaps one should be adept at least at walking, if not skating, on ice. However, in 2013, I slipped and broke my ankle. Determined to make the most of my time holed up, I tried to use the time to take some of those “backburner projects” we all accrue over our lives, and deal with some of them. Making the best of situations seemed to be something

For the past three years I have had the pleasure of being the Delegation Head for Team Denver for the JCC Maccabi Games.  The JCC Maccabi Games are a week-long Olympic style sporting event hosted by different cities in the US during the summer for Jewish teens from all over the country and world, including Israel.  The Games start with the Opening Ceremonies honoring the Munich 11, the massacre of

The world, it seems, is on fire. I’m reading the news from the comfort of the sukkah I helped build; its nylon walls blowing in the breeze, its wooden frame screwed and zip-tied together, schach above me offering a glimpse at the blue beyond. It is, truthfully, a precarious structure, built on the porch of a friend’s apartment. I woke up to the news that the campus of URJ Camp Newman, a Jewish camp

One of the most puzzling aspects of the book of Jonah is the prophet’s fear of success.  It’s easy to relate to a failing leader, to a man who runs away from responsibility and, ultimately, destiny.  We’ve all been there.  Like Jonah, most of us have faced inadequacy, imposter syndrome, insecurity and the desire to hide when we’re needed most.  And that was just yesterday. But when Jonah was spat

Note from the Editor: While it is normally the policy of The Wexner Foundation to refrain from publicizing requests for donations, humanitarian disasters are a unique circumstance that require a different response, a stance validated by the feedback from our alumni across the world wanting to help. With that in mind, we share with you several eyewitness accounts from Houston, as well as a sampling of organizations connected to our

It is 30 days since Jonathan Woocher‘s passing. We didn’t talk regularly, but I am struck at the number of times I have thought of him — almost daily. Simply, that’s how profound the impact of his work is on the daily life of Jewish educational organizations. One of the things to admire about Jon is that he never let any of us off the hook. This work — the strengthening

On Monday, my friend, Ben Grossman, died.  He was 37. Ben taught everyone around him many lessons in the way he lived and in the way he responded to getting sick. I’ve been reflecting the last couple days in particular on what I will remember most. Ben had a calm, patient energy. He had an easy smile. Living across the street, seeing him throughout the week, the memories I will hold