Commentary: Jewish university donors, instead of retreating, need to lean in to shape culture and outcomes

In a commentary published in eJewish Philanthropy, Sabrina Braham, founder of Georgetown University’s first Jewish alumni affinity group, argues that Jewish donors withdrawing funding from elite universities since Oct. 7, 2023 risks surrendering long-term influence within higher education that shapes law, policy, media, and even AI systems. Citing long-term donor engagement that was precipitous withdrawn–including Marc Rowan at UPenn and Leon Cooperman and the Russell Berrie Foundation at Columbia University–Braham suggests Jewish donors are stepping away at the exact moment they should lean in. Instead of divestment, she urges conditions-based philanthropy–endowed chairs, donor-advised funds, targeted programs–where sustained engagement helps shape a university’s culture and its outcomes.