Marcus Foundation Gives $3.8M for Jewish Adult Education

A major foundation is betting big on Jewish education as the best way to fight antisemitism and build community strength.

The Marcus Foundation just donated $3.8 million to the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute, marking its first major national grant to a Chabad program. The Atlanta-based foundation has supported local Jewish causes for years, but this partnership represents something different: a large-scale investment in adult Jewish education across the country.

"The best antidote for antisemitism is Jewish education, Jewish pride and security," said Jay Kaiman, president of the Marcus Foundation. He believes knowing Jewish texts and history helps people understand their identity and heritage in deeper ways.

The grant comes after years of the foundation watching JLI's work from a distance. Kaiman praised the organization's curriculum quality and ability to reach Jewish adults nationwide through Chabad's extensive network of community centers.

The foundation's founder, Bernie Marcus, was a longtime Reform congregation member, and the organization has typically funded nondenominational Jewish groups like Hillel International and RootOne. In 2024, only $1 million of the foundation's $227.5 million in total giving went to Chabad-affiliated groups, all in the Atlanta area.

The announcement came during JLI's annual leadership summit in Palm Beach, Florida, which drew 120 Jewish philanthropists and thought leaders. The event raised $6.3 million total, nearly double last year's amount.

Rabbi Efraim Mintz, JLI's executive director, will receive the Marcus grant over three years. Kaiman called the partnership a "great experiment" that combines Chabad's grassroots approach with large-scale strategic funding.

The Ripple Effect

This partnership could change how major foundations fund Jewish education. Large funders have traditionally found it complicated to support Chabad's national programs because of the movement's decentralized structure. Each Chabad center operates independently, making coordination challenging.

The Marcus Foundation's willingness to work through these complexities might encourage other large donors to follow suit. JLI reaches thousands of Jewish adults through courses on Jewish history, philosophy, and practice, filling a gap in adult education that many communities struggle to address.

With antisemitism rising globally, investing in Jewish literacy and pride offers a proactive response that strengthens communities from within.

This experiment in strategic philanthropy could light the way for others looking to make a lasting impact on Jewish life.