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Jewish Community

Jewish lives today are born of inspiration. So how do we inspire? By empowering young people to connect with Jewish values, deepen their understanding of Israel and contribute to a better world.

Jewish Community people dining with hands on challah

Our Vision

Jewish communities flourish when they evolve to meet the needs of each generation.

For more than 30 years, we have invested in the Jewish future by supporting joyful, inclusive Jewish communities able to meaningfully engage teens and young adults. Our vision centers on shaping Jewish experiences that are welcoming and accessible, building a connection with Israel, and promoting a culture of service rooted in the Jewish commitment to pursue justice (tzedek), repair the world (tikkun olam), and treat all people with dignity and respect (derekh eretz).

Through these experiences, we see young people discover meaning in Jewish connection and contribute to strengthening the Jewish people and Israel. We see them draw on Jewish values to better the world. We see them assume leadership roles, advancing Jewish communities equipped to engage future generations.

We believe that by meeting the unique needs of today’s generation of young Jews, Jewish communities and values will remain as relevant and impactful as they have for 4,000 years.

Quote from Cindy Greenberg

Our Jewish communities have an imperative to show up boldly and live out our values alongside our neighbors.
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President and CEO, Repair the World

The Opportunity

Young Jews must be at the forefront of shaping 21st-century Jewish life.

This generation seeks experiences that reflect the true diversity of our Jewish communities. They seek opportunities to immerse in purposeful gathering and to connect their Jewish values to their commitment to working toward justice and equality. They seek spaces to learn about Israel’s extensive history, modern dynamism and complexities, and role as a spiritual touchstone and powerhouse for culture and innovation.

Together with our partners, we aim to provide a wide range of opportunities for young Jews to build enriching lives and tap into Jewish values as they find ways to serve their communities locally and globally. We also help people connect with Israel and Israelis through firsthand experience and learn about Israel in academic and informal settings.

We know these offerings only thrive so long as we have strong organizations and leaders equipped to make them happen. To maintain a vibrant and sustainable Jewish professional ecosystem, we support a growing pool of diverse talent, invest in capacity-building support and bolster collaborative efforts that strengthen the Jewish communal sector.

68%

Of U.S. Jews participating in communal and civic life credit Jewish values as a motivator for their involvement. (Source)

29%

Of U.S. Jews ages 18 to 29 live in a multiracial household. (Source)

84%

Of U.S. Jews say caring about Israel is an important or essential part of what being Jewish means to them. (Source)

84%

Of Jewish nonprofit employees feel they are making a difference through their work. (Source)

Our Focus Areas

Through three focus areas, we aim to help young Jews engage with Jewish values and experiences, support opportunities to connect with Israel, and shape a thriving sector of Jewish organizations and leaders.

Jewish Life and Values

Jewish Life and Values

Engaging young Jews through joyful, meaningful and inclusive Jewish experiences.

Israel Education and Engagement

Israel Education and Engagement

Helping more people explore and connect to Israel and its complex history, diverse society and rich cultural landscape.

Jewish Communal Leadership

Jewish Leadership

Investing in talented leaders who reflect the diversity of our Jewish communities and support our efforts to strengthen Jewish organizations and the broader Jewish sector.

Our Grantees

We are proud to support a range of organizations and initiatives working to shape a modern Jewish experience that reflects the vibrancy and diversity of our people, fosters strong ties to Israel, and invests in young people as agents of positive change.

View more grantees in our U.S. Jewish Grantmaking portfolio
Engaging Jewish Teens BBYO

Engaging Jewish Teens

BBYO is the leading pluralistic Jewish teen movement, providing leadership training, community service, Jewish education, connection to Israel and positive identity-building experiences.

Connecting Jewish students standing around laughing

Connecting Jewish Students

With branches at more than 550 colleges and universities, Hillel International helps students foster vibrant Jewish life on campus and host immersive experiences for young Jews around the world.

Inspiring Acts of Service and Learning

Inspiring Acts of Service and Learning

Repair the World mobilizes young Jewish adults and their communities to take action to pursue a just world, igniting a lifelong commitment to service.

Standing Up for Israel on College Campuses

Standing Up for Israel on College Campuses

Israel on Campus Coalition (ICC) unites organizations that support Israel on campus by coordinating strategies, providing educational resources, sharing research and increasing collaboration.

Expanding Knowledge and Understanding of Israel

Expanding Knowledge and Understanding of Israel

Israel Institute works to enhance knowledge about modern Israel by ensuring university students have access to an array of classes about Israel during their time on campus.

Advancing Gender Equity in Jewish Spaces

Advancing Gender Equity in Jewish Spaces

SRE Network empowers Jewish communities across North America to create and sustain safe, respectful and equitable workplaces and communal spaces.

Our Team

The professionals who make up our team come with a wide variety of skills and expertise, including extensive experience working within the Jewish and broader nonprofit sectors, leading Israel education initiatives, and supporting leaders both inside and outside of the Jewish world.

Meet our full U.S. Jewish Grantmaking Team
Lisa Eisen Profile Image

Lisa Eisen

Co-President, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies

Get to know Lisa

REALITY and the Schusterman Fellowship

We operated REALITY and the Schusterman Fellowship until June 2024. Over its first 15 years, REALITY brought more than 3,000 leaders on week-long learning journeys to Israel. In its next chapter, REALITY will continue to bring leaders from diverse communities, backgrounds and sectors to Israel as part of our grantee, itrek. While we no longer run the Fellowship, we continue to invest in leadership development in the Jewish sector through our grantmaking.