The Foundation invests in initiatives, often through multi-year grants, that support Jewish learning experiences for young Jews at key inflection points in life. In particular, the Foundation solicits grants designed for long-term, large-scale effectiveness and sustainability. The Foundation also invests in research and development to catalyze groundbreaking forms of Jewish learning and expression. Two core assumptions inform the Foundation's grantmaking today:
1
In a world that is constantly shifting and changing, there remains a strong and persistent human desire for connection, meaning, and purpose. Judaism has continually evolved over thousands of years to meet these needs.
2
Through investing in Jewish learning experiences, we can help individuals identify new ways to enhance their lives, strengthen their families and communities, and contribute to a better world.
Strategies
The Foundation's strategies guide our grantmaking.
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Deliberate Strategy
Provide strategic grants and support to exemplary Jewish nonprofit organizations and initiatives with proven models for Jewish learning and talent development.
Focus Areas
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Emergent Strategy
Invest in talent, ideas, and opportunity landscapes to generate new value propositions for Jewish life.
Focus Areas
Distinguishing Between the Foundation’s Deliberate and Emergent Strategies
The Foundation’s two complementary strategies support Jewish learning experiences that serve the full spectrum of Jewish learners and develop leaders and educators who drive these experiences.
The Foundation’s audiences include those who are drawn to current communal offerings and initiatives that exist today, as well as the majority of individuals who would be more likely to opt in through entirely new pathways and options.
Through our Deliberate Strategy, the Foundation focuses on strengthening and growing program models for Jewish learning that have deep and enduring effects on participants; and by training and developing dynamic, pioneering leaders and educators who serve these programs and their learners by being well-attuned to the learners’ needs and interests. An important component of this strategy is to shift the culture within existing Jewish education organizations to increased excellence, experimentation, learning, and belonging.
Through our Emergent Strategy, the Foundation focuses on the population of young Jews who are not served by our Deliberate Strategy. We do this by investing in creative new expressions of Judaism and Jewish life; identifying and scaling compelling new options for young Jews who are seeking a sense of belonging outside of Jewish organizations; attracting and positioning new and diverse leadership from beyond of the existing Jewish professional landscape; and developing future-forward training to serve these leaders.
Long-Term Outcomes
The Foundation works to achieve these long-term outcomes.
- Culture.
Throughout the field of Jewish education, a growing culture of excellence, risk-taking, and continuous listening and learning is infused into the values and practices of organizations, communities, and funders.
- Experiences.
Modern manifestations of Jewish-inspired ideas, practices, and experiences emerge and gain widespread recognition for being essential to addressing the pressing needs of young people at key inflection points in their lives.
- Talent.
Increased numbers of dynamic, pioneering Jewish leaders and educators are the driving force behind Jewish learning experiences that inspire young people throughout their lives.
- Learners.
A more diverse and growing number of young Jews, their families, and their friends are participating in powerful Jewish learning experiences that inspire them to lead more connected, meaningful, and purpose-filled lives.