Jewish Life Network
Encyclopedia
The Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life (formerly Jewish Life Network/Steinhardt Foundation) is a New York
based non-profit foundation, which funds projects and programs aimed at improving Jewish education
and identity.
The foundation was founded by former hedge fund
manager Michael Steinhardt
in 1994, who disbanded his financial practice to focus on philanthropy
. Since then, the JLN has disbursed over $100 million to various educational, cultural and service causes, including starting and/or funding the Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education in 1997; Makor at the 92nd Street Y
; the Steinhardt School of Education
and the recent Steinhardt Social Research Institute at Brandeis University
.
Along with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, The Steinhardt Foundation sponsors the annual Grinspoon-Steinhardt Awards for Excellence in Jewish Education.
In 1999, JLN initiated one of its signature programs, birthright Israel
, to provide young Jews, age 18 to 26 years old, the opportunity to tour Israel for the first time.
The current acting president of the foundation is Robert P. Aronson, who succeeded the founding president Rabbi Irving "Yitz" Greenberg in the fall of 2007.
Since 1998, the foundation has published "Contact" a quarterly journal aiming "to stimulate discussion throughout the community on the most effective programs and ideas that will help to revitalize American Jewish life."
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
based non-profit foundation, which funds projects and programs aimed at improving Jewish education
Jewish education
Jewish education is the transmission of the tenets, principles and religious laws of Judaism. Due to its emphasis on Torah study, many have commented that Judaism is characterised by "lifelong learning" that extends to adults as much as it does to children.-History:The tradition of Jewish...
and identity.
The foundation was founded by former hedge fund
Hedge fund
A hedge fund is a private pool of capital actively managed by an investment adviser. Hedge funds are only open for investment to a limited number of accredited or qualified investors who meet criteria set by regulators. These investors can be institutions, such as pension funds, university...
manager Michael Steinhardt
Michael Steinhardt
Michael H. Steinhardt is an American investor and philanthropist active in Jewish causes. He was one of the first prominent hedge fund managers, and is a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He founded Steinhardt, Fine, Berkowitz & Co., a hedge fund, in 1967...
in 1994, who disbanded his financial practice to focus on philanthropy
Philanthropy
Philanthropy etymologically means "the love of humanity"—love in the sense of caring for, nourishing, developing, or enhancing; humanity in the sense of "what it is to be human," or "human potential." In modern practical terms, it is "private initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of...
. Since then, the JLN has disbursed over $100 million to various educational, cultural and service causes, including starting and/or funding the Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education in 1997; Makor at the 92nd Street Y
92nd Street Y
92nd Street Y is a multifaceted cultural institution and community center located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City, United States, at the corner of E. 92nd Street and Lexington Avenue. Its full name is 92nd Street Young Men's and Young Women's Hebrew Association...
; the Steinhardt School of Education
Steinhardt School of Education
The Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development is one of 16 divisions within New York University and is the oldest professional school of education in the United States.- History :...
and the recent Steinhardt Social Research Institute at Brandeis University
Brandeis University
Brandeis University is an American private research university with a liberal arts focus. It is located in the southwestern corner of Waltham, Massachusetts, nine miles west of Boston. The University has an enrollment of approximately 3,200 undergraduate and 2,100 graduate students. In 2011, it...
.
Along with the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, The Steinhardt Foundation sponsors the annual Grinspoon-Steinhardt Awards for Excellence in Jewish Education.
In 1999, JLN initiated one of its signature programs, birthright Israel
Birthright Israel
Taglit-Birthright Israel is a Jewish Israeli registered charity that sponsors free 10-day heritage trips to Israel. Birthright Israel's goals are to diminish the division between Israel and Jewish communities around the world and to strengthen participants' personal Jewish identity and...
, to provide young Jews, age 18 to 26 years old, the opportunity to tour Israel for the first time.
The current acting president of the foundation is Robert P. Aronson, who succeeded the founding president Rabbi Irving "Yitz" Greenberg in the fall of 2007.
Since 1998, the foundation has published "Contact" a quarterly journal aiming "to stimulate discussion throughout the community on the most effective programs and ideas that will help to revitalize American Jewish life."