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Confronting Wexner-Epstein ties, alumni of Jewish leadership programs launch new survivor fund

From Jerusalem Post · (11h ago) English Positive tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Graduates of Jewish leadership programs funded by Leslie Wexner have launched a new fund, ASHRU, to support victims of sexual violence.
  • The fund aims to address the controversy surrounding Wexner's ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and has already raised over $30,000.
  • Architects of the fund state that addressing the harm caused by sexual trafficking and violence is a responsibility for Jewish leaders, regardless of Wexner's personal knowledge of Epstein's actions.

The Jerusalem Post reports on the establishment of the ASHRU Fund, a new initiative by alumni of Jewish leadership programs funded by Leslie Wexner. These alumni have long grappled with Wexner's association with the late Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender and early benefactor of Wexner.

Regardless of what you believe was done or known, those who were harmed by sexual trafficking and violence need to know that Jewish leaders care about them.

— ASHRU Fund descriptionExplaining the motivation and purpose behind the establishment of the new fund.

The ASHRU Fund, whose name is derived from a teaching by the prophet Isaiah, stands for Advocacy for Survivors, for Healing, Repair, and Understanding. Its creators emphasize that the fund's purpose is to show that Jewish leaders care about victims of sexual trafficking and violence, irrespective of whether Wexner actively supported Epstein's behavior. The fund has already garnered significant support, raising more than $30,000 on its first day.

This initiative comes at a time when the ongoing release of documents from a federal investigation into Epstein has renewed scrutiny on Wexner. While Wexner has not been charged and denies knowledge of Epstein's criminal conduct, the fund's founders believe it is crucial for Jewish leaders to act in a time of crisis. The article highlights that at least two rabbis have already donated to organizations supporting victims of sexual violence as a way to atone for benefiting from Wexner's funding.

This fund represents what we believe Jewish leaders must do in a time of crisis — even when the topic may be uncomfortable and hits close to home.

— ASHRU Fund descriptionHighlighting the community's commitment to addressing difficult issues.

The Jerusalem Post frames this as a significant act of responsibility within the Jewish community, addressing a difficult and uncomfortable topic that hits close to home. The establishment of the ASHRU Fund represents a proactive step by community leaders to confront the legacy of these associations and offer support to survivors.

For decades, one prestigious site of training for Jewish leaders was … the Wexner Foundation.

— Rabbi Danya RuttenbergDescribing the historical significance of the Wexner Foundation in Jewish leadership training.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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