Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life
A New York City–based nonprofit foundation supporting Jewish education, identity, culture, and community life, particularly for American Jews.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life is a New York City–based nonprofit foundation established in 1994 by Michael Steinhardt, a former hedge fund manager who redirected his attention from finance toward Jewish philanthropy. The organization was initially created under the name Jewish Life Network and developed as a grantmaking and program-support institution focused on strengthening Jewish education, identity, culture, and communal participation. Its work has included direct funding for educational, cultural, research, and community-service initiatives, as well as collaboration with other philanthropic foundations, Jewish organizations, universities, Jewish communities, and the government of Israel. One of its best-known founding initiatives was Birthright Israel, a program designed to offer young Jews between the ages of 18 and 26 an opportunity to visit Israel for the first time. The initiative was co-sponsored by the foundation, the Israeli government, private donors, and Jewish communities around the world. Birthright Israel became a major example of the foundation’s interest in using educational and experiential programs to reinforce Jewish identity and connection among younger generations. The foundation has also supported institutions and initiatives serving Jewish education and cultural life in the United States. Documented beneficiaries and projects include the creation of the Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education, commonly known as PEJE, in 1997; programs at the 92nd Street Y; New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development; and the Steinhardt Social Research Institute at Brandeis University. These activities reflect a broad operating model: rather than presenting a consumer product, the foundation deploys philanthropic capital, institutional partnerships, research, and public-facing programs to influence the quality and reach of Jewish communal life. By April 2005, the foundation had reported disbursing more than $100 million to educational, cultural, and service causes. From 2000 through 2013, it co-sponsored the annual Harold Grinspoon Foundation Awards for Excellence in Jewish Education. During the period of its participation, the awards were renamed the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Awards for Excellence in Jewish Education, highlighting the foundation’s role in recognizing innovation and achievement in the field. From 1998 through 2018, the foundation published Contact, a quarterly magazine addressing issues connected with Jewish education, identity, and communal development. The publication extended the foundation’s role beyond grantmaking by providing a forum for discussion and dissemination of ideas within the Jewish educational and philanthropic sectors. As of October 2022, Rabbi David Gedzelman served as the foundation’s president and chief executive officer. The foundation is best understood as a philanthropic and civic organization rather than a conventional commercial brand: its public identity is associated with funding, convening, research, institution building, and support for programs intended to sustain Jewish learning and identity. Publicly available reference material does not establish a comprehensive current list of grants, assets, annual distributions, or all active programs.
History
The Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life was created in 1994 by Michael Steinhardt, a former hedge fund manager who moved from financial management toward Jewish philanthropy. Its original name was Jewish Life Network. From the outset, the organization was designed to support Jewish education, identity, cultural activity, and community institutions, with a particular emphasis on the needs of American Jews. A defining early initiative was Birthright Israel. The foundation helped establish the program in cooperation with the Israeli government, private donors, and Jewish communities around the world. Birthright Israel was intended to give Jews aged 18 to 26 an opportunity to make a first educational and cultural visit to Israel. The program represented a strategy of strengthening identity through direct experience and international Jewish connection rather than through classroom education alone. The foundation’s grantmaking expanded across educational, cultural, research, and service-oriented causes. By April 2005, it had disbursed more than $100 million. Documented areas of support included the founding of the Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education in 1997, programs at the 92nd Street Y, the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University, and the Steinhardt Social Research Institute at Brandeis University. These commitments connected the foundation with schools, universities, cultural institutions, research bodies, and organizations working to improve Jewish communal infrastructure. From 2000 to 2013, the foundation co-sponsored the annual Harold Grinspoon Foundation Awards for Excellence in Jewish Education. During that period, the awards were known as the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Awards for Excellence in Jewish Education. This activity emphasized recognition of effective practice and innovation in Jewish education, complementing the foundation’s direct support for institutions and programs. The foundation also operated as a publisher and convener. From 1998 to 2018, it issued Contact, a quarterly magazine focused on topics related to Jewish education and communal life. The publication gave educators, philanthropic organizations, and other participants in the field a platform for exchanging ideas and examining challenges facing Jewish identity and learning. The organization remains a philanthropic rather than commercial entity. Its activities are expressed through grants, partnerships, institutional support, research, publications, and program development. As of October 2022, Rabbi David Gedzelman was identified as president and chief executive officer. Public reference material establishes the foundation’s origin, major initiatives, and historical activities, but does not provide a complete current account of its grant portfolio, annual finances, staff, or operating structure.
- 2022
David Gedzelman serving as president and CEO
[1]Rabbi David Gedzelman was identified as the foundation’s president and chief executive officer as of October 2022.
- 2018
Contact publication period ends
[1]The foundation’s quarterly Contact magazine was published through 2018.
- 2013
Education awards co-sponsorship period ends
[1]The foundation’s documented co-sponsorship of the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Awards concluded after 2013.
- 2005
Reported disbursements exceed $100 million
[1]By April 2005, the foundation had distributed more than $100 million to educational, cultural, and service causes.
- 2000
Education awards co-sponsorship begins
[1]The foundation began co-sponsoring the annual Harold Grinspoon Foundation Awards for Excellence in Jewish Education.
- 1998
Contact magazine begins publication
[1]The foundation began publishing Contact, a quarterly magazine connected with Jewish education and communal issues.
- 1997
PEJE founded with foundation support
[1]The Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education was among the educational initiatives started and/or funded by the foundation.
- 1994
Foundation created as Jewish Life Network
[1]Michael Steinhardt established the organization, initially known as Jewish Life Network, to support Jewish education, identity, and communal life.
Birthright Israel becomes a founding initiative
[1]The foundation co-sponsored the creation of Birthright Israel with the Israeli government, private donors, and Jewish communities around the world.
Products and positioning
A Jewish philanthropic foundation focused on strengthening education, identity, cultural engagement, and communal institutions through grantmaking, partnerships, research, and program development.
Jewish identity and educational travel program
Birthright Israel
A major founding initiative supported by the foundation in partnership with the Israeli government, private donors, and Jewish communities worldwide. The program provides young Jews aged 18 to 26 with an opportunity to visit Israel for the first time, combining travel and communal experience with broader goals of Jewish education and identity formation.
Jewish education support initiative · 1997
Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education
Known as PEJE, this initiative was started and/or funded with support from the foundation in 1997. It represents the foundation’s focus on strengthening Jewish educational institutions and improving the quality and reach of Jewish learning.
Quarterly magazine · 1998
Contact
A quarterly publication issued by the foundation from 1998 through 2018. Contact provided a forum for discussion of Jewish education, identity, philanthropy, and communal development, extending the foundation’s work into publishing and field-wide dialogue.
Education awards program · 2000
Grinspoon-Steinhardt Awards for Excellence in Jewish Education
An annual awards program co-sponsored by the foundation and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation from 2000 through 2013. During the foundation’s involvement, the program recognized excellence in Jewish education and was known as the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Awards.
Marketing campaigns
- 2000Excellence in Jewish Education Awards
United States
The foundation joined the Harold Grinspoon Foundation in sponsoring annual awards intended to recognize excellence in Jewish education.
Outcome. The awards continued with foundation participation through 2013 and were known during that period as the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Awards.
- Birthright Israel
United States · Israel · Global Jewish communities
The foundation co-sponsored the creation of a program offering young Jews aged 18 to 26 a first visit to Israel, working with the Israeli government, private donors, and Jewish communities internationally.
Outcome. The initiative became a central example of the foundation’s approach to Jewish identity-building through educational travel and international communal connection.
Brand decisions
1998
Launch of Contact magazineOtherBackground
The foundation sought to contribute to professional and public discussion in Jewish education and communal development.
Action taken
It began publishing the quarterly magazine Contact.
Aftermath
The publication continued through 2018, providing a platform for field-related discussion.
1994
Shift from finance toward Jewish philanthropyStrategyBackground
Michael Steinhardt disbanded his financial practice and focused on philanthropic work connected with Jewish education and communal life.
Action taken
He created the organization initially known as Jewish Life Network, later called the Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life.
Aftermath
The foundation developed into a grantmaking and program-support institution serving Jewish educational, cultural, research, and community initiatives.
Sources2 sources
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