To this day, Jacob Schiff (1847-1920) is noted for being the most generous benefactor of Jewish causes in the history of the United States. A titan in the world of international finance and the most prominent German-Jewish businessman of his era, he was a leader in the Jewish community and an outspoken voice against anti-Semitism.

Schiff founded major Jewish organizations including the Joint Distribution Committee (“The Joint”), the leading global Jewish humanitarian aid organization today. He was also a major fiscal contributor to the endeavors of noted social activists such as Emma Lazarus; Lillian Wald, founder of the Henry Street Settlement and the Visiting Nurse Service; and Annie Nathan Meyer, who founded Barnard College.

An extremely generous and hands-on philanthropist, he was tremendously involved in rescuing Jews from pogroms and personally financed the Galveston Movement, which rescued nearly 10,000 Eastern European Jews and safely brought them to the U.S. via the Port of Galveston, Texas.

Join us for this new talk on Zoom by Justin Ferate. Justin will explain how Schiff’s benefactions, which included a wide range of causes both Jewish and non-Jewish — such as social betterment for women, African Americans, the Deaf, unskilled workers, Jewish juvenile delinquents, and all Americans in general — transformed this nation. Many of the institutions that he founded and/or financed continue to enrich the landscapes of our country even today, earning him the much-deserved title of “An Honorable Jew.”

Our presenter, Justin Ferate, is highly respected for his professional in-depth knowledge of New York City and is the author of the Official New York City Tour Guide Licensing Examination. Two New York State governors have honored him: George Pataki and Andrew M. Cuomo. The New York State Tourism Council declared Justin Ferate as “New York’s Most Engaging Tour Guide.” In 2016, he received honors for his educational endeavors from NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, and Manhattan Borough Historian Michael Miscioni. Time Out New York selected Justin as “One of New York’s 50 Essential Secrets”!

If you want to hear this extraordinary program, you must do so live. There will NOT be a chance to obtain a link to the recording.

The presentation will last approximately 90 minutes followed by a Q&A.