Foundation News

Former US ambassador to Israel and the Israel Institute’s new Board Chair, Daniel B. Shapiro, explains the importance of accessible, high-level courses about Israel to university campuses. In depth academic engagement about Israel is a critical way to ensure that students are educated and well-prepared for sophisticated discourse on Israel (photo credit: The Israel Institute).

The Koret-supported film, “The Remembered,” was selected as the recipient of the Documentary Film Grant from the JDC Archives, which houses one of the most significant collections in the world for the study of modern Jewish history. The film by award-winning writer and filmmaker Yoav Potash explores Polish-Jewish relations in the small town of Gniewoszów, Poland, in the years immediately before, during, and after World War II.

Koret’s Senior Program Officer, Ashley Rodwick, reflects on the changing landscape of food insecurity in the Bay Area.

Onward Israel was formed in 2012 to provide college students high-quality professional summer internships in Israel while strengthening their Jewish identity. This past summer, the program served 2,806 students and has reached close to 12,000 alumni. Koret grantee Israel21C shares about the Onward Israel’s inception and growth.

Touchdowns for Kids–a collaboration with the 49ers Foundation, Taube Philanthropies, and Koret– celebrated the end of a successful season that raised $200,000 in donations to local youth organizations from the 49ers success on the field.

Shalem College reflects on 2019, including its annual Peoplehood program in the Bay Area and the inaugural program to Washington DC to learn about the importance of the US Israel Relationship.

Organized by the California Legislative Jewish Caucus Leadership Foundation, members of the California State Legislature visited Jerusalem, Ramallah, Tel Aviv, and Northern Israel. Members met with top Israeli leaders, thinkers, and entrepreneurs to better understand the unique politics, history, geography, and economy of the modern state of Israel.

The Stanford ChEM-H Building and the Stanford Neurosciences Building are opening this month as part of a new research complex dedicated to improving human health. The interconnecting buildings will allow teams of scientists, engineers, and clinicians from across Stanford’s campus to join forces, share expertise, and work together in community labs, such as the Koret Human Neurosciences Community Laboratory. (Image credit: Farrin Abbott)

Approaching its 50th anniversary, OMCA has launched a comprehensive campaign to invest in longterm sustainability and transform its landmark campus to provide an even more welcoming experience for all visitors. Koret is pleased to be a part of the All In! campaign.

A new study by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and the TIAA Institute examines trends in funding for higher education. The study, “Philanthropy in Higher Education: Priorities and Approaches of Private Foundations,” shows that student access and success is a key focus for foundation giving, particularly for first-generation and low-income students. Community colleges are also emerging as a priority for many funders. Koret has and will continue to explore funding to this area under the Bay Area Higher Education Initiative.