2026-07-04 02:29:PM <br/> Tags: #AmericanJewry #organization #KeyOrganizations ![[image-300.png|961x152]] # Wexner Foundation - The Wexner Foundation is a prominent Ohio-based American nonprofit that incubates Jewish leadership in both the United States and Israel, distributes grants, and backs Israeli projects and groups.[^1][^2] - The foundation's stated mission: "We invest in individuals seeking to contribute to a professional, fully representative, and collaborative civil service in the State of Israel."[^3] - The Wexner Foundation is named after its founder and primary benefactor, [[Les Wexner]]. #### Background and General Activities - The Wexner Foundation was founded in 1983 by American Jewish billionaire [[Les Wexner]] in partnership with rabbis [[Herbert Friedman]] and Maurice Corson.[^1] - In 1985, the Wexner Heritage Program was founded. The program was formed to immerse Jewish leaders for a two year period in "Jewish history, values, and texts and enriching their leadership skills."[^1] - In 1988, the Wexner Graduate Fellowship Program was founded. The program "strengthens rabbinical/cantorial students and graduate students in Jewish education and Jewish professional leadership programs, as well as academic Jewish studies." - In 1989, the Wexner Israel Fellowship Program was founded. The program, until the foundation cut ties with Harvard (mentioned below) facilitated "up to 10 outstanding Israeli public officials" earning their master of public administration at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.[^1] - In the aftermath of [[October 7th]], the foundation joined a torrent of Jewish organizations demanding regime change at American universities, particularly the Ivy Leagues. - The foundation went hard after Harvard writing, "More than three decades ago, The Wexner Foundation identified Harvard Kennedy School as the ideal university setting for developing and educating Israel’s Public Service leaders...We are stunned and sickened at the dismal failure of Harvard’s leadership to take a clear and unequivocal stand against the barbaric murders of innocent Israeli civilians by terrorists [[October 7th|last Saturday]], the Sabbath and a festival day. Since then, many of our Israel Fellows no longer feel marginalized at HKS. They feel abandoned."[^5] - The Wexner Foundation summarily ended their "financial and programmatic relationships with Harvard" because, "HKS is no longer a place where Israeli leaders can go to develop the necessary skills to address the very real political and societal challenges they face." #### Wexner Davidson Fellowship #### Wexner Graduate Fellowship #### Wexner Field Fellowship #### Wexner Heritage Program - The Wexner Heritage Program is a two-year fully paid for leadership training experience for former Wexner alumni and "top professional and lay leaders representing the broadest cross-section of the Jewish community." - The program's curriculum includes: - Jewish fundamental texts and traditions. - The history of the Jewish people "from Biblical times to the 21st century." - Leadership training with an approach "derived from Jewish and secular sources." - Contemporary Jewish and Israeli issues. - There are over 2300 Wexner Heritage alumni. - Wexner Heritage alumni include:[^8] *All information derived from Wexner Foundation biographies unless accompanied by a separate footnote.* - Jack Almo - Wexner Heritage 2012 alum. - Almo is a senior vice president at Morgan Stanley who began his career with [[Goldman Sachs]]’ Finance Group. He is a member of the [[Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)|Jewish Federation]] of Greater Seattle. - Martine Fleishman - Wexner Heritage 2014 alum. - Fleishman is the president of the Jewish Education project, past regional chair of the [[UJA-Federation of New York]], past chair of the advisory committee for the [[Jewish Agency]]'s Project TEN, past [[Hillel International|Hillel]] Westchester chapter president, and an "active member" of the board of governors of the [[American Jewish Committee (AJC)]]. - Gina Green - Wexner Heritage 2010 alum. - Green "leads the practice on diversity + equity + inclusion" at uprise, a left wing social justice consultancy.[^9] - Green was chief strategy officer at [[Bend the Arc]]. - Green is a "frequent speaker and writer on democracy, race, racism in the Jewish community, Jewish community diversity, and leadership." - Linda Hurwitz - Wexner Heritage alum. - Hurwitz is a past national campaign chair of the [[Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)]]. - Laura Lauder - Wexner Heritage 2003 alum. - Lauder is a fellow at the [[Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)]] and married to Gary Lauder, the nephew of [[Ronald Lauder]]. - Susan Steiner Saal - Wexner Heritage 2014 alum. - Saal is a [[JCC Association of North America]] board member. - Yoni Torgow - Wexner Heritage 2017 alum. - Torgow has a Bachelor of Talmudic Law from the Sh’or Yoshuv Institute a Haredi yeshiva in New York. - Yoni is the son of [[Gary Torgow]], the chair of the board pf the [[Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)]]. - Sam Yebri - Wexner Heritage 2015 alum. - Yebri has served as a board member at both the UCLA and USC [[Hillel International|Hillels]], the [[ADL]], [[Bend the Arc]], and the Los Angeles cabinet of [[AIPAC]]. - Leora Zabusky - Wexner Heritage 2016 alum. - Zabusky is a U Penn [[Hillel International|Hillel]] and [[B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO)]] board member. - Stuart Kurlander - Wexner Heritage alum. - Kurlander is a board member at the [[Democratic Majority for Israel (DMFI)]], [[Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP)]], and the [[American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)]].[^10] - Kurlander was the first national chair of [[Keshet]], a pro-LGBT Jewish organization. - Kurlander is a gay Jew. - Both Stacy Stuart and Archie Gottesman, the founders of [[JewBelong]], are Wexner Heritage alum.[^11][^12] - Jennifer Spitzer, the [[New Israel Fund]]'s VP of Finance, Operations & Legal Affairs, is a Wexner Heritage alum.[^13] #### Wexner Israel Fellowship - The Wexner Israel Fellowship is a program that, each year, chooses ten "outstanding public sector directors and leaders from Israel" to attend Harvard Kennedy School to work toward their masters degree.[^14] *The foundation's relationship with Harvard Kennedy School, including the Israel Fellowship, was permanently ended in the aftermath of October 7th (covered above).* - According to the program's [overview](https://www.wexnerfoundation.org/programs/wexner-israel-fellowship/#alumni:~:text=Fellows%20%E2%80%93%20committed%20to-,returning%20to%20Israel,-and%20remaining%20in), "Wexner Israel Fellows [are] committed to returning to Israel and remaining in the public sector for at least three years after completing the program." - The program claims 650 members in its alumni network, "most of them serving in senior key positions in Israel’s public service: Director Generals of government ministries, senior officers in the IDF, judges, hospital directors, municipality and third sector NGO's director generals, etc." - Past Wexner Israel fellows (WIF) include:[^16] - Uzi Fogelman - WIF class 1 - Fogelman is a former Israeli Supreme Court Justice who served from 2007-2024.[^17] - Moshe Lador - WIF class 1 - Lador is a former Israeli state-attorney - Avinoam Armoni - WIF class 1 - Armoni is an Israeli academic, former executive director of the [[New Israel Fund]], and "special advisor" to the mayor of Jerusalem.[^18] - Shay Avital - WIF class 1 - Avital is a Major General in the Israeli Defense Forces.[^19] - Avital commanded the IDF's elite special forces unit [[Sayeret Matkal]] during the [[1982 Lebanon War]]. - Moshe Melnik - WIF class 2 - Melnik is a highly decorated Israeli Air Force pilot with 9 confirmed shot down enemy aircraft. - Melnik served in the War of Attrition following the [[1967 Six Day War]], the [[1973 Yom Kippur War]], and the [[1982 Lebanon War]].[^20][^21] - Ohad Marani - WIF class 3 - Marani is described as a "prominent figure in the Israeli economy."[^22] - Marani is a board member of [[Bank Leumi]]. - [[Ami Ayalon]] - WIF class 3 - Ayalon was formerly head of the [[Shin Bet]].[^23] - [[Amos Yadlin]] - WIF class 5 - Former IDF general, head of [[Aman]], and IDF military attaché to Washington D.C.[^24] - Yedidya Ya'ari - WIF class 5 - Former commander of the Israeli Navy from 2000-2004.[^25] - Commando in [[Shayetet 13]]. #### Wexner Senior Leaders program #### Wexner Summits #### Connections to Jeffrey Epstein - On February 24, 2020, the Wexner Foundation published an 18 page report titled "Independent Review of [[Jeffrey Epstein]]'s Involvement and Interactions with the Wexner Foundation."[^4] - The report was the foundation's attempt to get in front of the Epstein controversy and absolve itself of any wrongdoing while admitting past connections to Epstein. - The report's opening "background and purpose" sections admits "the fact that Epstein served as a Trustee of the Wexner Foundation (the “Foundation”) for fifteen years, from 1992–2007." (Kegler and Fuhrer, 1) - - - In May 2026, the foundation announced it would spin off its flagship leadership programs under a new entity with a $40 million contribution from [[Les Wexner]].[^15] - The separation came after increased scrutiny over Wexner's extensive relationship with [[Jeffrey Epstein]]. #### Funding and Donors - In 2024, the Wexner Foundation reported $12.8 million in revenue.[^7] - The organization operates on ~$10-15 million annually. - The [[Les Wexner|Wexner]] family and its Wexner Family Charitable Fund accounted for ~90% (around $280 million) of the Wexner Foundation's funding from 1991-2018.[^4] (Kegler and Fuhrer, 7) - [[Bill Davidson]] - mentioned as "notable and regular contributor."[^4] - [[Jim Joseph Foundation]] - mentioned as "notable and regular contributor."[^4] #### Notable Figures - [[Les Wexner]] - Founder - Abigail Wexner - Trustee, wife of Les Wexner - Rabbi B. Elka Abrahamson - President[^6] #### References [^1]: The Wexner Foundation, “Our Story,” [https://www.wexnerfoundation.org/our-story/](https://www.wexnerfoundation.org/our-story/). [^2]: “Wexner Foundation,” _Wikipedia_, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wexner_Foundation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wexner_Foundation). [^3]: The Wexner Foundation, “Our Values,” [https://www.wexnerfoundation.org/our-values/](https://www.wexnerfoundation.org/our-values/). [^4]: Charles Kegler and Loriann Fuhrer, "INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF JEFFREY EPSTEIN’S INVOLVEMENT AND INTERACTIONS WITH THE WEXNER FOUNDATION," *The Wexner Foundation*, February 24, 2020, [https://www.wexnerfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/Wexner-Foundation-Report-Following-Independent-Review4.pdf](https://www.wexnerfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/Wexner-Foundation-Report-Following-Independent-Review4.pdf). [^5]: The Wexner Foundation, “Letter to Harvard Board,” October 18, 2023, [https://www.wexnerfoundation.org/letter-to-harvard/](https://www.wexnerfoundation.org/letter-to-harvard/). [^6]: The Wexner Foundation, “Rabbi Elka Abrahamson,” [https://www.wexnerfoundation.org/team/rabbi-elka/](https://www.wexnerfoundation.org/team/rabbi-elka/). [^7]: “The Wexner Foundation,” _Nonprofit Explorer_, ProPublica, [https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237320631](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237320631). [^8]: The Wexner Foundation, “Heritage Alumni Network,” [https://www.wexnerfoundation.org/heritage-alumni-network/](https://www.wexnerfoundation.org/heritage-alumni-network/). [^9]: Uprise, “Uprise,” [https://upriseforgood.com/](https://upriseforgood.com/). [^10]: Democratic Majority for Israel, “Stuart Kurlander,” [https://demmajorityforisrael.org/team/stuart-kurlander/](https://demmajorityforisrael.org/team/stuart-kurlander/). [^11]: JewBelong, “Stacy Stuart,” [https://www.jewbelong.com/team/stacy-stuart/](https://www.jewbelong.com/team/stacy-stuart/). [^12]: JewBelong, “Archie Gottesman,” [https://www.jewbelong.com/team/archie-gottesman/](https://www.jewbelong.com/team/archie-gottesman/). [^13]: New Israel Fund, “People,” [https://nif.org/about/people/](https://nif.org/about/people/). [^14]: The Wexner Foundation, “Wexner Israel Fellowship,” [https://www.wexnerfoundation.org/programs/wexner-israel-fellowship/](https://www.wexnerfoundation.org/programs/wexner-israel-fellowship/). [^15]: Gabby Deutch, “Wexner Foundation to Spin Off North American Leadership Programs into New Nonprofit,” _eJewishPhilanthropy_, May 21, 2026, [https://ejewishphilanthropy.com/wexner-foundation-to-spin-off-north-american-leadership-programs-into-new-nonprofit/](https://ejewishphilanthropy.com/wexner-foundation-to-spin-off-north-american-leadership-programs-into-new-nonprofit/). [^16]: The Wexner Foundation, “Wexner Israel Fellowship Class Lists,” [https://app.wexnerfoundation.org/classList/75](https://app.wexnerfoundation.org/classList/75). [^17]: “Uzi Fogelman,” _Wikipedia_, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uzi_Fogelman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uzi_Fogelman). [^18]: S.A.H.I., “Our People,” [https://sahi-israel.org/en/our-people.php#:~:text=Our%20people-,Avinoam%20Armoni,-Advisory%20Board%20Chair](https://sahi-israel.org/en/our-people.php#:~:text=Our%20people-,Avinoam%20Armoni,-Advisory%20Board%20Chair). [^19]: “Shay Avital,” _Wikipedia_, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shay_Avital](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shay_Avital). [^20]: Dario Leone, “[Video] Israeli Fighter Pilot Explains How He Became the First F-15 Driver to Score a MiG Kill,” _The Aviation Geek Club_, March 9, 2020, [https://theaviationgeekclub.com/video-israeli-fighter-pilot-explains-how-he-became-the-first-f-15-driver-to-score-a-mig-kill/](https://theaviationgeekclub.com/video-israeli-fighter-pilot-explains-how-he-became-the-first-f-15-driver-to-score-a-mig-kill/). [^21]: “Moshe Melnik,” _Military Wiki_, Fandom, [https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Moshe_Melnik](https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Moshe_Melnik). [^22]: Israel Infrastructure Fund (IIF), “People,” [https://www.iif.co.il/people/](https://www.iif.co.il/people/). [^23]: “Ami Ayalon,” _Wikipedia_, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ami_Ayalon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ami_Ayalon). [^24]: “Amos Yadlin,” _Wikipedia_, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amos_Yadlin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amos_Yadlin). [^25]: “Yedidya Ya’ari,” _Wikipedia_, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yedidya_Ya%27ari](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yedidya_Ya%27ari).