2008 Conference - Keynotes

Grinspoon Institute's 7th Camp Conference, Embracing Abundance-November 2008

Speakers:
Conference Introduction
Harold Grinspoon

Keynote Addresses
Michael Steinhardt
Nancy Winship
Rabbi Ethan Tucker
Jerry Silverman

Conference Resources
Click here for Conference Resources.

Harold's Conference Introduction

Michael Steinhardt

Michael is a hedge fund investor turned philanthropist who left a successful career on Wall Street to devote his time and fortune to causes in the Jewish world. As the founder and chairman of The Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life (formerly Jewish Life Network / Steinhardt Foundation) he works towards revitalizing Jewish identity through educational, religious and cultural initiatives that reach out to all Jews, with an emphasis on those who are on the margins of Jewish life. These initiatives include Birthright Israel, Professional Leaders Project, the Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education, Makor, NYU's School of Education, the Hillel Foundation of the University of Pennsylvania, and Hillel, through which he created the Steinhardt Jewish Campus Services Corps. Michael and his wife, Judy, are the proud parents of David, Daniel and Sara, and the grandparents of Jacob, Joshua, Kira, Talia, Nathaniel, Aetien, Lila and Infinity.

Click here to see the rest of Michael Steinhardt's keynote address on our Grinspoon Institute YouTube Channel.

Nancy Winship

Since Nancy K. Winship joined Brandeis as the university's senior vice president of institutional advancement in 1994, giving from alumni, parents, friends, trustees and corporations and foundations has grown dramatically.

This support has transformed Brandeis' 235-acre campus, helped put the institution on strong financial footing and played a role in Brandeis' ascent to elite status among American private research universities.

Under Winship's leadership, the most ambitious fundraising campaign in university history, The Campaign for Brandeis, reached its $770 million goal more than one year ahead of schedule (the goal has been increased to $1.2 billion). Additionally, Brandeis recently completed its best fundraising year ever, receiving $90.4 million in cash and $72.8 million in new pledges.

During Winship's tenure, annual fundraising has quadrupled, the endowment has tripled to more than $700 million and gifts from alumni have grown six-fold.

Before coming to Brandeis, Winship served as vice president for endowment and development at Combined Jewish Philanthropies in Boston, as director of metropolitan relations and associate director for planned and major gifts at Northwestern University and as associate regional director of the Anti-Defamation League's Midwest office in Chicago.

Click here to see the rest of Nancy Winship's keynote address on our Grinspoon Institute YouTube Channel.

Click here to view Nancy Winship's Keynote PowerPoint Presentation

Rabbi Ethan Tucker

Rabbi Ethan Tucker is a co-founder of Mechon Hadar: An Institute for Prayer, Personal Growth and Jewish Study. He teaches Talmud and Halakhah in the Machon's summer Yeshiva, Yeshivat Hadar, and is also a faculty member at the Drisha Institute for Jewish Education, where he teaches Talmud and Halakhah in the Scholars Circle. Rabbi Tucker was ordained by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel after years of study at Yeshivat Ma'ale Gilboa and earned a PhD in Talmud and Rabbinics from the Jewish Theological Seminary. He is currently a Social Entrepreneurial Fellow with JESNA, which is supported by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation. He is a co-founder of New York's Kehilat Hadar and has been a leading force in the national independent minyan movement.

Click here to view the rest of Ethan Tucker's keynote address on our Grinspoon Institute's YouTube channel.

Click here to read Rabbi Ethan Tucker's Keynote Address

Jerry Silverman

Jerry brings an entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to organizational excellence along with 25 years of experience in the private sector which he has infused into the Foundation for Jewish Camp. His ability to think big and bold about the opportunities in the field of Jewish camp inspires and energizes all who come into contact with him. Jerry's key responsibilities is building an outstanding team of professionals, institutional advancement and listening and learning from the camp field in order to create a clear vision for the future.

Before joining FJC, Jerry served in various executive leadership capacities at Levi Strauss and Co. and The Stride Rite Corporation. He has worked on many successful consumer brands including Levi's, Dockers, Stride Rite Children's, and Keds. Before becoming the President of the Foundation for Jewish Camp Jerry's most recent position was President of the Keds Corporation. He has run both wholesale and retail operations and was noted for his leadership, work ethic, and ability to build strong teams.

Jerry is married to Erica Silverman and is the father of five children ranging in age from 15-23. Alison, Jenna, Mitchell, Miriam and Naomi's experience at Jewish camp inspired and sparked Jerry and Erica's passion for Jewish camp.