Jewish philanthropy is a deeply rooted tradition at our firm, beginning with our founder and namesake. Our firm’s founder, Sanford C. Bernstein, is widely known for his vision of a firm providing institutional quality research and professional money management to comparatively small investors—growing to become one of the world’s leading financial institutions and fundamentally changing the investment industry.
Zalman Chaim Bernstein, the name he took to honor his Jewish heritage and conversion to Orthodox Judaism later in life, is further known for his incredible commitment to the perpetuation of the Jewish people and culture. In life and legacy, Zalman Bernstein contributed over $1 billion to his tzedakah. Learn more about our founder here.
Our Ongoing Commitment to Supporting Jewish Causes
Bernstein continues to live a culture of philanthropy, with a generous global employee charitable gift matching program and a rich tradition of volunteerism across all of our offices. Jewish philanthropy continues to thrive here, with Wealth Advisors currently serving on over 50 boards of Jewish organizations across the US. Since 2019, AB and its colleagues have donated more than $2 million to Jewish organizations and causes worldwide. In the immediate aftermath of the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack in Israel, AB and its colleagues raised over $200,000 for emergency response and relief efforts.
Faith-Based, Nonprofit, and Philanthropic Business Focus
Given our history, it’s no surprise that Bernstein has developed a distinct focus, expertise, and valuable investment and related offerings for faith-based and philanthropic individuals and institutions. Approximately 10% of funds we invest on behalf on non-profits and foundations are for Jewish-based organizations, including synagogues, foundations, museums, social service providers, regional boards of rabbis, and more. We offer a holistic suite of services to foundations, nonprofit institutions, and philanthropists more broadly through our dedicated Foundation & Institutional Advisory Team.
Providing Education and Tools for Continued Success
We meet you wherever you are on your philanthropic journey, partnering with you to develop the infrastructure, tools, and team to realize success as you define it. Our workshops and trainings are customized to staff, boards or donors and delivered by Bernstein experts, all of whom joined our Foundation and Institutional Advisory team from careers across the philanthropic landscape.
Actionable Insights When You Need Them
To further enhance and support our clients’ success, we publish frequently on topics relevant to donors, funders, and fundraising institutions, featuring expert guidance on investing, governance, development, and more. Our subject matter expertise in philanthropy, nonprofit investment management, and foundation wealth management—a product of our deep research and decades of experience—drives insights your team can put into action immediately.
Our Presence in Israel
Our firm’s office in Tel Aviv serves as a hub for our many cross-border and Israeli clients, including philanthropic institutions and individuals. Since its opening in January 2016, we have grown our presence substantially under the leadership of Yigal Marcus. As Yigal states, “At AB Israel, we believe in pursuing insight that unlocks opportunity for Israeli investors while also enabling access to Israel-based investments for our global private clients, especially in the US. By bringing the most innovative global private wealth platform to the residents of the most innovative country on Earth, we demonstrate our commitment to empowering Israelis to drive transformative change for generations to come.”
We are proud to be the Lead Investment Partner for the upcoming AMPLIFY: CIO Summit in Tel Aviv this upcoming March 31–April 2 featuring a select group of Chief Investment Officers (or equivalent decision-makers) of US-based Jewish philanthropies. The summit will provide direct access to premier investment opportunities across multiple sectors, including technology, venture capital, private equity, hedge funds, and real estate.
A Legacy of Jewish Philanthropy
Bernstein's legacy of Jewish philanthropy is not just a part of our history—it's a vibrant, ongoing commitment that shapes our future. From our dedicated Foundation & Institutional Advisory Team to our expanding presence in Israel, we are uniquely positioned to support faith-based and philanthropic individuals and institutions. Our expertise in investment management and philanthropy provides actionable insights that empower our clients to make a meaningful impact. If you're ready to explore how Bernstein can support your philanthropic journey, reach out to us today to learn more about our tailored services and upcoming opportunities.