Rich in spirit: fee Dd of arereas Unlimited giving GROWING UP in Milwaukee faculty to teach Jewish history, during World War II, Leslie Jewish philosophy, contempo- Wexner was attacked by neigh- rary Jewry, the Holocaust, Jew- borhood children for being a ish literature and the Bible. Jew. "It was hard for me to Participants come from cities understand why I was being throughout the U.S. They are roughed up because of my reli- recommended by communal gion. This fostered a strong leaders, interviewed and, if ac- Jewish identity in me." cepted, commit themselves to Wexner, chairman of "The two years of intensive study in Limited" stores, one of the their communities. They also world's largest clothing out- commit themselves to volun- lets, has been listed in Forbes teer work in their communities, as the sixth wealthiest Ameri- in whatever area they choose. can. He ranks even higher in The graduation exercises are the minds of American and held in Israel, where the partici- Jewish (including Israeli) lead- pants come for a two-week in- ers because of his Wexner tensive study program with Foundation, which he estab- leading scholars. More than lished six years ago. 250 American Jews have It was not only antisemitic participated. persecution that shaped him. At the first graduation in the That experience "was bal- summer of 1988, more than anced by visits with my mater- 100 persons in their 30s and nal grandfather [in Columbus, 40s received their Wexner Ohio], where I saw the devout Heritage diplomas in Caesa- life he led as an observant Leslie Wexner, one of rea. What emerged from con- Jew. He did not lose his faith versations with some of the when he came to America. the richest men in America, tells graduates was a sense of grati- My grandfather fostered with- David Geffen why he spends tude to Wexner for forcing in me a love for Judaism when them to study. we walked to shul [syna- so much of his time and wealth "In my synagogue," a 35- gogue] together, when we year-old man said, "there are celebrated the holy days to- on Jewish communal projects wonderful adult-education gether. He transmitted to me, programs that I now attend, through word and deed, the beauty of Judaism and all even though previously I felt that I had no time for Jewish that it contained." learning. After taking courses in Jewish history and thought, Regarding his success, Wexner says: "God gives you I realized how much I had been missing by not being an skills, and the question is how to use these skilis. When educated jew. reached 40, I had achieved significant financial success. I began to ask the question perhaps it was mid-life crisis "I SEE Undervalued Assets" was the headline on an article what does one do with the wealth he has attained? Only a written about Wexner in Forbes magazine in 1982, when certain amount is necessary to live well. If one just sits on he acquired the Lane Bryant company, which specialized the wealth, it is almost like hoarding. I decided to seek ways in clothing for women with fuller figures. At the time, The to develop a more fruitful life for the world about me, how Limited was catering, as it still does, to fashion-conscious to apply the talents with which I was blessed in the broadest younger women, ages 20 to 35, while Lane Bryant's aver- possible fields." age customer was then 48 years old. A graduate of Ohio State University, Wexner began his Wexner says he bought the company because of demo- career in 1963 when he borrowed $10,000 from his aunt graphic changes in the American female population and and a bank and opened the first The Limited store in because of the buildings owned by Lane Bryant. His Columbus, where he was living. He has maintained his Wexner Foundation programs also deal with the concept of corporate headquarters in Columbus as The Limited has "undervalued assets." He feels that there must be outstand- grown to more than 3,800 stores throughout the U.S. ing leaders in the rabbinate, in Jewish education and in After a quiet beginning to his philanthropic efforts in his Jewish communal service - "our undervalued assets" - home community, Wexner moved dramatically into phil- prepared to guide American Jewry into the 21st century. anthropic projects in the American Jewish community and To bring his vision into being, he selected Rabbi Maurice in Israel, projects that are only now beginning to be dis- Corson to be the president of the Wexner Foundation. cussed. All these activities stem from the Wexner Founda- Corson, a graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary, had tion, which he established in 1984 after his father's death. held several major rabbinical positions and was working for His mother, Bella, who holds 10 percent of The Limited's B'nai B'rith International when he took up this challenge stock, remains a close adviser and her personal example of almost five years ago. tzedaka has been very important to him. Corson says his mandate from Wexner was a broad one, Wexner's Jewish interests were manifest even during his but he wished to define the goals before trying to implement college days. David Zissenwine, an education professor at them. "Too many foundations do not specify to themselves Tel Aviv University and the Seminary for Judaic Studies in what their objectives will be. Thus, they may accomplish a Jerusalem, is a Columbus native who attended Ohio State lot, but they splinter their efforts. In the case of the Wexner University with Wexner. Foundation, t wanted to be sure where we were going Leslie was a proud Jew affiliating with a Jewish fraternity before starting to initiate and implement a specific and working for Jewish causes when it was not in vogue. program. But I most remember," Zissenwine reminisces, "how he The first venture decided upon in 1987 was the Wexner made a young freshman like me feel at home. Leslie Fellowship program for rabbinical students and graduate encouraged us not to forget our Jewishness." students in Jewish education programs and in lewish com- In Wexner's opinion, American Jewry has developed munal service programs. many lay-leaders with charisma and the ability to lead. To complement the fellowship program, an institutional- But on meeting many aspiring young Jewish leaders, he grants program was created to help academic institutions of has been: "dismayed" by their minimal level of Jewish all types build programs in the three areas of study of Jewish professionals - the rabbinate, Jewish education and Jewish knowledge Familiar with the United Jewish Appeal's Young Leader- social services. Grants of $75,000 have been awarded for ship program, which somehow passed him by, Wexner one to three years to institutions as diverse as Stanford proposed the creation of a lay-leadership Jewish-education University, Michigan University, and the three major U.S. program. He asked Rabbi Herbert Friedman, former execu- rabbinical seminaries. ive vice-president of the UJA, to oversee the program. To Studying in Israel this past year was Wexner Fellow Laura ensure the program's excellence, he established the Metzger, a rabbinical student at the (Reform) Hebrew Wexner Heritage Foundation, a component of the larger Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. She worked for Wexner Foundation, which put together an outstanding (Continued on page XVI) WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 22, 1990 H HASHANA SUPPLEMENT Rich in spirit: fee Dd of arereas Unlimited giving GROWING UP in Milwaukee faculty to teach Jewish history, during World War II, Leslie Jewish philosophy, contempo- Wexner was attacked by neigh- rary Jewry, the Holocaust, Jew- borhood children for being a ish literature and the Bible. Jew. "It was hard for me to Participants come from cities understand why I was being throughout the U.S. They are roughed up because of my reli- recommended by communal gion. This fostered a strong leaders, interviewed and, if ac- Jewish identity in me." cepted, commit themselves to Wexner, chairman of "The two years of intensive study in Limited" stores, one of the their communities. They also world's largest clothing out- commit themselves to volun- lets, has been listed in Forbes teer work in their communities, as the sixth wealthiest Ameri- in whatever area they choose. can. He ranks even higher in The graduation exercises are the minds of American and held in Israel, where the partici- Jewish (including Israeli) lead- pants come for a two-week in- ers because of his Wexner tensive study program with Foundation, which he estab- leading scholars. More than lished six years ago. 250 American Jews have It was not only antisemitic participated. persecution that shaped him. At the first graduation in the That experience "was bal- summer of 1988, more than anced by visits with my mater- 100 persons in their 30s and nal grandfather [in Columbus, 40s received their Wexner Ohio], where I saw the devout Heritage diplomas in Caesa- life he led as an observant Leslie Wexner, one of rea. What emerged from con- Jew. He did not lose his faith versations with some of the when he came to America. the richest men in America, tells graduates was a sense of grati- My grandfather fostered with- David Geffen why he spends tude to Wexner for forcing in me a love for Judaism when them to study. we walked to shul [syna- so much of his time and wealth "In my synagogue," a 35- gogue] together, when we year-old man said, "there are celebrated the holy days to- on Jewish communal projects wonderful adult-education gether. He transmitted to me, programs that I now attend, through word and deed, the beauty of Judaism and all even though previously I felt that I had no time for Jewish that it contained." learning. After taking courses in Jewish history and thought, Regarding his success, Wexner says: "God gives you I realized how much I had been missing by not being an skills, and the question is how to use these skiiis. When educated jew. reached 40, I had achieved significant financial success. I began to ask the question perhaps it was mid-life crisis "I SEE Undervalued Assets" was the headline on an article what does one do with the wealth he has attained? Only a written about Wexner in Forbes magazine in 1982, when certain amount is necessary to live well. If one just sits on he acquired the Lane Bryant company, which specialized the wealth, it is almost like hoarding. I decided to seek ways in clothing for women with fuller figures. At the time, The to develop a more fruitful life for the world about me, how Limited was catering, as it still does, to fashion-conscious to apply the talents with which I was blessed in the broadest younger women, ages 20 to 35, while Lane Bryant's aver- possible fields." age customer was then 48 years old. A graduate of Ohio State University, Wexner began his Wexner says he bought the company because of demo- career in 1963 when he borrowed $10,000 from his aunt graphic changes in the American female population and and a bank and opened the first The Limited store in because of the buildings owned by Lane Bryant. His Columbus, where he was living. He has maintained his Wexner Foundation programs also deal with the concept of corporate headquarters in Columbus as The Limited has "undervalued assets." He feels that there must be outstand- grown to more than 3,800 stores throughout the U.S. ing leaders in the rabbinate, in Jewish education and in After a quiet beginning to his philanthropic efforts in his Jewish communal service - "our undervalued assets" - home community, Wexner moved dramatically into phil- prepared to guide American Jewry into the 21st century. anthropic projects in the American Jewish community and To bring his vision into being, he selected Rabbi Maurice in Israel, projects that are only now beginning to be dis- Corson to be the president of the Wexner Foundation. cussed. All these activities stem from the Wexner Founda- Corson, a graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary, had tion, which he established in 1984 after his father's death. held several major rabbinical positions and was working for His mother, Bella, who holds 10 percent of The Limited's B'nai B'rith International when he took up this challenge stock, remains a close adviser and her personal example of almost five years ago. tzedaka has been very important to him. Corson says his mandate from Wexner was a broad one, Wexner's Jewish interests were manifest even during his but he wished to define the goals before trying to implement college days. David Zissenwine, an education professor at them. "Too many foundations do not specify to themselves Tel Aviv University and the Seminary for Judaic Studies in what their objectives will be. Thus, they may accomplish a Jerusalem, is a Columbus native who attended Ohio State lot, but they splinter their efforts. In the case of the Wexner University with Wexner. Foundation, t wanted to be sure where we were going Leslie was a proud Jew affiliating with a Jewish fraternity before starting to initiate and implement a specific and working for Jewish causes when it was not in vogue. program. But I most remember," Zissenwine reminisces, "how he The first venture decided upon in 1987 was the Wexner made a young freshman like me feel at home. Leslie Fellowship program for rabbinical students and graduate encouraged us not to forget our Jewishness." students in Jewish education programs and in lewish com- In Wexner's opinion, American Jewry has developed munal service programs. many lay-leaders with charisma and the ability to lead. To complement the fellowship program, an institutional- But on meeting many aspiring young Jewish leaders, he grants program was created to help academic institutions of has been: "dismayed" by their minimal level of Jewish all types build programs in the three areas of study of Jewish professionals - the rabbinate, Jewish education and Jewish knowledge Familiar with the United Jewish Appeal's Young Leader- social services. Grants of $75,000 have been awarded for ship program, which somehow passed him by, Wexner one to three years to institutions as diverse as Stanford proposed the creation of a lay-leadership Jewish-education University, Michigan University, and the three major U.S. program. He asked Rabbi Herbert Friedman, former execu- rabbinical seminaries. ive vice-president of the UJA, to oversee the program. To Studying in Israel this past year was Wexner Fellow Laura ensure the program's excellence, he established the Metzger, a rabbinical student at the (Reform) Hebrew Wexner Heritage Foundation, a component of the larger Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. She worked for Wexner Foundation, which put together an outstanding (Continued on page XVI) WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 22, 1990 H HASHANA SUPPLEMENT Rich in spirit: fee Dd arereas of Unlimited giving GROWING UP in Milwaukee faculty to teach Jewish history, during World War II, Leslie Jewish philosophy, contempo- Wexner was attacked by neigh- rary Jewry, the Holocaust, Jew- borhood children for being a ish literature and the Bible. Jew. "It was hard for me to Participants come from cities understand why I was being throughout the U.S. They are roughed up because of my reli- recommended by communal gion. This fostered a strong leaders, interviewed and, if ac- Jewish identity in me." cepted, commit themselves to Wexner, chairman of "The two years of intensive study in Limited" stores, one of the their communities. They also world's largest clothing out- commit themselves to volun- lets, has been listed in Forbes teer work in their communities, as the sixth wealthiest Ameri- in whatever area they choose. can. He ranks even higher in The graduation exercises are the minds of American and held in Israel, where the partici- Jewish (including Israeli) lead- pants come for a two-week in- ers because of his Wexner tensive study program with Foundation, which he estab- leading scholars. More than lished six years ago. 250 American Jews have It was not only antisemitic participated. persecution that shaped him. At the first graduation in the That experience "was bal- summer of 1988, more than anced by visits with my mater- 100 persons in their 30s and nal grandfather [in Columbus, 40s received their Wexner Ohio], where I saw the devout Heritage diplomas in Caesa- life he led as an observant Leslie Wexner, one of rea. What emerged from con- Jew. He did not lose his faith versations with some of the when he came to America. the richest men in America, tells graduates was a sense of grati- My grandfather fostered with- David Geffen why he spends tude to Wexner for forcing in me a love for Judaism when them to study. we walked to shul [syna- so much of his time and wealth "In my synagogue," a 35- gogue] together, when we year-old man said, "there are celebrated the holy days to- on Jewish communal projects wonderful adult-education gether. He transmitted to me, programs that I now attend, through word and deed, the beauty of Judaism and all even though previously I felt that I had no time for Jewish that it contained." learning. After taking courses in Jewish history and thought, Regarding his success, Wexner says: "God gives you I realized how much I had been missing by not being an skills, and the question is how to use these skilis. When educated jew. reached 40, I had achieved significant financial success. I began to ask the question perhaps it was mid-life crisis SEE Undervalued Assets" was the headline on an article what does one do with the wealth he has attained? Only a written about Wexner in Forbes magazine in 1982, when certain amount is necessary to live well. If one just sits on he acquired the Lane Bryant company, which specialized the wealth, it is almost like hoarding. I decided to seek ways in clothing for women with fuller figures. At the time, The to develop a more fruitful life for the world about me, how Limited was catering, as it still does, to fashion-conscious to apply the talents with which I was blessed in the broadest younger women, ages 20 to 35, while Lane Bryant's aver- possible fields." age customer was then 48 years old. A graduate of Ohio State University, Wexner began his Wexner says he bought the company because of demo- career in 1963 when he borrowed $10,000 from his aunt graphic changes in the American female population and and a bank and opened the first The Limited store in because of the buildings owned by Lane Bryant. His Columbus, where he was living. He has maintained his Wexner Foundation programs also deal with the concept of corporate headquarters in Columbus as The Limited has "undervalued assets." He feels that there must be outstand- grown to more than 3,800 stores throughout the U.S. ing leaders in the rabbinate, in Jewish education and in After a quiet beginning to his philanthropic efforts in his Jewish communal service - "our undervalued assets" home community, Wexner moved dramatically into phil- prepared to guide American Jewry into the 21st century. anthropic projects in the American Jewish community and To bring his vision into being, he selected Rabbi Maurice in Israel, projects that are only now beginning to be dis- Corson to be the president of the Wexner Foundation. cussed. All these activities stem from the Wexner Founda- Corson, a graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary, had tion, which he established in 1984 after his father's death. held several major rabbinical positions and was working for His mother, Bella, who holds 10 percent of The Limited's B'nai B'rith International when he took up this challenge stock, remains a close adviser and her personal example of almost five years ago. tzedaka has been very important to him. Corson says his mandate from Wexner was a broad one, Wexner's Jewish interests were manifest even during his but he wished to define the goals before trying to implement college days. David Zissenwine, an education professor at them. "Too many foundations do not specify to themselves Tel Aviv University and the Seminary for Judaic Studies in what their objectives will be. Thus, they may accomplish a Jerusalem, is a Columbus native who attended Ohio State lot, but they splinter their efforts. In the case of the Wexner University with Wexner. Foundation, t wanted to be sure where we were going "Leslie was a proud Jew affiliating with a Jewish fraternity before starting to initiate and implement a specific and working for Jewish causes when it was not in vogue. program.' But I most remember," Zissenwine reminisces, "how he The first venture decided upon in 1987 was the Wexner made a young freshman like me feel at home. Leslie Fellowship program for rabbinical students and graduate encouraged us not to forget our Jewishness." students in Jewish education programs and in Jewish com- In Wexner's opinion, American Jewry has developed munal service programs. many lay-leaders with charisma and the ability to lead. To complement the fellowship program, an institutional- But on meeting many aspiring young Jewish leaders, he grants program was created to help academic institutions of has been: "dismayed" by their minimal level of Jewish all types build programs in the three areas of study of Jewish professionals - the rabbinate, Jewish education and Jewish knowledge Familiar with the United Jewish Appeal's Young Leader- social services. Grants of $75,000 have been awarded for ship program, which somehow passed him by, Wexner one to three years to institutions as diverse as Stanford proposed the creation of a leadership Jewish-education University, Michigan University, and the three major U.S. program. He asked Rabbi Herbert Friedman, former execu- rabbinical seminaries. ive vice-president of the UJA, to oversee the program. To Studying in Israel this past year was Wexner Fellow Laura ensure the program's excellence, he established the Metzger, a rabbinical student at the (Reform) Hebrew Vexner Heritage Foundation, a component of the larger Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. She worked for Wexner Foundation, which put together an outstanding (Continued on page XVI) WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 22, 1990 H HASHANA SUPPLEMENT HEDX Rich in spirit: free add areas Unlimited giving GROWING UP in Milwaukee faculty to teach Jewish history, during World War II, Leslie Jewish philosophy, contempo- Wexner was attacked by neigh- rary Jewry, the Holocaust, Jew- borhood children for being a ish literature and the Bible. lew. "It was hard for me to Participants come from cities understand why was being throughout the U.S. They are roughed up because of my reli- recommended by communal gion. This fostered strong leaders, interviewed and, if ac- Jewish identity in me cepted, commit themselves to Wexner, chairman of "The two years of intensive study in Limited" stores, one of the their communities They also world's largest clothing out- commit themselves to volun- lets, has been listed in Forbes teer work in their communities, as the sixth wealthiest Ameri- in whatever area they choose can. He ranks even higher in The graduation exercises are the minds of American and held in Israel, where the partici- Jewish (including Israeli) lead- pants come for two-week in- ers because of his Wexner tensive study program with Foundation, which he estab- leading scholars. More than lished six years ago. 250 American Jews have It was not only antisemitic participated persecution that shaped him. At the first graduation in the That experience "was bal- summer of 1988, more than anced by visits with my mater- 100 persons in their 30s and nal grandfather (in Columbus, 40s received their Wexner Ohio], where saw the devout Heritage diplomas in Caesa life he led as an observant Leslie Wexner, one of rea. What emerged from con- lew. He did not lose his faith versations with some of the when he came to America. the richest men in America, tells graduates was sense of grati- My grandfather fostered with- David Geffen why he spends tude to Wexner for forcing in me a love for Judaism when them to study. we walked to shul Isyna- so much of his time and wealth "In my synagogue," a 35- gogue] together, when we year-old man said, "there are celebrated the holy days to- on Jewish communal projects wonderful adult-education gether. He transmitted to me, programs that now attend. through word and deed, the beauty of Judaism and all even though previously felt that had no time for Jewish that contained. learning After taking courses in Jewish history and thought, Regarding his success, Wexner says: "God gives you I realized how much had been missing by not being an skills, and the question is how to use these skin. when educated jew. reached 40, had achieved significant financial success. began to ask the question perhaps . was mid-life crisis SEE Undervalued Assets" was the headline on an article what does one do with the wealth he has attained? Only a written about Wexner in Forbes magazine in 1982, when certain amount is necessary to live well. If one just sits on he acquired the Lane Bryant company, which specialized the wealth, almost like hoarding. decided to seek ways in clothing for women with fuller figures. At the time, The to develop a more fruitful life for the world about me, how Limited was catering, as it still does, to fashion-conscious to apply the talents with which was blessed in the broadest younger women, ages 20 to 35, while Lane Bryant's aver- possible fields." age customer was then 48 years old A graduate of Ohio State University, Wexner began his Wexner says he bought the company because of demo- career in 1963 when he borrowed $10,000 from his aunt graphic changes in the American female population and and a bank and opened the first The Limited store in because of the buildings owned by Lane Bryant. His Columbus, where he was living. He has maintained his Wexner Foundation programs also deal with the concept of corporate headquarters in Columbus as The Limited has "undervalued assets.' He feels that there must be outstand grown to more than 3,800 stores throughout the U.S. ing leaders in the rabbinate, in Jewish education and in After a quiet beginning to his philanthropic efforts in his Jewish communal service "our undervalued assets" home community, Wexner moved dramatically into phil- prepared to guide American Jewry into the 21st century. anthropic projects in the American Jewish community and To bring his vision into being, he selected Rabbi Maurice in Israel, projects that are only now beginning to be dis- Corson to be the president of the Wexner Foundation cussed. AS these activities stem from the Wexner Founda- Corson, graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary, had lion, which he established in 1984 after his father's death. held several major rabbinical positions and was working for His mother, Bella, who holds 10 percent of The Limited's B'nai B'rith International when he took up this challenge stock, remains close adviser and her personal example of almost live years ago, tzedaka has been very important to him. Corson says his mandate from Wexner was broad one, Wesner's Jewish interests were manifest even during his but he wished to define the goals before trying to implement college days. David Zissenwine, an education professor at them. "Too many foundations do not specify to themselves Tel Aviv University and the Seminary for Judaic Studies in what their objectives will be. Thus, they may accomplish a Derusalem, is Columbus native who attended Ohio State lot, but they splinter their efforts. In the case of the Wexner University with Wexner. Foundation, wanted to be sure where we were going "Leslie was a proud lew affiliating with a Jewish fraternity before starting to initiate and implement a specific and working for Jewish causes when it was not in vogue. program. But most remember, Zissenwine reminisces, "how he The first venture decided upon in 1987 was the Wexner made a young freshman like me feel at home. Leslie Fellowship program for rabbinical students and graduate encouraged us not to forget our Jewishness.' students in Jewish education programs and in Jewish com- in Wexner's opinion, American Jewry has developed munal service programs. many lay-leaders with charisma and the ability to lead. To complement the fellowship program, an institutional- But on meeting many aspiring young Jewish leaders, he grants program was created to help academic institutions of has been "dismayed" by their minimal level of Jewish all types build programs in the three areas of study of Jewish professionals the rabbinate, Jewish education and Jewish knowledge Familiar with the United Jewish Appeal's Young Leader- social services. Grants of $75,000 have been awarded for ship program, which somehow passed him by, Wexner one to three years to institutions as diverse as Stanford proposed the creation of a lay-leadership Jewish-education University, Michigan University, and the three major U.S. program. He asked Rabbi Herbert Friedman, former execu- rabbinical seminaries. live vice-president of the UIA to oversee the program. To Studying in Israel this past year was Wexner Fellow Laura Insure the program's excellence, he established the Metzger, a trabbinical student at the (Reform) Hebrew (Vexner. Heritage Foundation, a component of the larger Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. She worked for Wexner Foundation, which put together an outstanding (Continued on page XVI) H HASHANA SUPPLEMENT BAR WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 22, 1990 Rich in spirit: Unlimited giving - 2 - her - Leslie Wesner, one of - the in tells Gellen he spends to of his and - - - - I . . - . - - - of - - - M - - Rich in spirit: Unlimited giving -