The Koret Foundation and the Taube Foundation for Jewish Life and Culture have awarded a total of $900,000 to support the Graduate Theological Union Center for Jewish Studies (CJS). The Koret Foundation awarded $600,000, both for the Center’s general operations and for the president’s highest priorities. The Taube Foundation for Jewish Life and Culture awarded CJS $300,000 for the Center’s general programs, student field research fellowships, and conferences. Both foundations have partnered with the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) over several years, supporting operations, student fellowships, visiting scholars, and community conferences through generous gifts. 

“We are immensely grateful to the Koret Foundation and the Taube Foundation for Jewish Life and Culture for their support of our Center for Jewish Studies,” says Graduate Theological Union President James A. Donahue. “These funds make it possible for the Center to continue to generate an unparalleled level of research, scholarship, and community education to further an understanding of Jewish culture, history, and theology.”

“We are delighted to make this award in support of GTU’s Center for Jewish Studies, an organization that has consistently shown, over 40 years, a tradition of excellence in educating graduate students, Jewish educators, and the larger community about Jewish life and culture," says Tad Taube, president of the Koret Foundation and chairman of Taube Philanthropies. “We are grateful for our partnership with GTU, and look forward to the many rich programs we know will continue to be generated at CJS.”

The Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California, is the largest and most diverse partnership of seminaries and graduate schools in the United States, pursuing  interreligious collaboration in teaching, research, ministry, and service.

The Center for Jewish Studies offers Ph.D., M.A., and Certificate degrees in ancient, rabbinic, medieval, and modern Jewish studies; professional development programs for Jewish educators; and community lectures, films, conferences and holiday celebrations.

An entrepreneurial spirit guides Koret in addressing societal challenges and strengthening Bay Area life. Investing in strategic, local solutions, we help to inspire a multiplier effect ─ encouraging collaborative funding and developing model initiatives.

Tad Taube is president of the Koret Foundation and of the Taube Foundation for Jewish Life & Culture.