The great medieval sage Maimonides noted the importance of both the “welfare of the soul” and the “welfare of the body.” Though spiritual matters were ultimately on a higher plane, the spirit could not flourish if bodily necessities were neglected. To a remarkable extent, Lynn Schusterman has strengthened both the welfare of the body and the soul of Jewish people, as well as the Jewish state.
Born in Kansas City, Mo., Schusterman was raised in Oklahoma City by her Jewish mother and stepfather. As a child, her stepfather, an investment manager, would take her to meet with widows in order to teach them to manage their finances. At a young age, she learned the importance of tikkun olam.
Lynn later moved to Tulsa and married Charles Schusterman, the founder of Samson Resources, one of the largest independent oil and gas companies in the United States. Lynn remembers that second date fondly. He was busy assisting the United Jewish Appeal, and it was at this time that she learned they were both passionate about helping others. The Schustermans demonstrated their commitment to that principle in 1987 by setting up their Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, a foundation that has become one of the nation’s most important charities.
The foundation provides millions of dollars annually to supporting progressive initiatives and organizations that nurture younger generations, with a special focus on the Jewish community and Israel. After Charles Schusterman passed away in December 2000, Lynn took charge of the family’s giving and became a major trailblazer in the world of Jewish philanthropy, as well as a role model to other women who hope to play a greater role in philanthropy. Schusterman devotes one-fourth of her giving to causes in Tulsa, in addition to leading support for national education reform groups like Teach for America and the Knowledge is Power Program charter-school program.
Support for Jewish causes has received three-fourths of her aid. Through her giving, she strives to “forge a culture in which inclusivity, diversity and equality are paramount,” she says, and gives generously to causes in support of LGBT Jews, education, health, entrepreneurship, innovation and Israel advocacy. Among the major groups she has funded are the Israel on Campus Foundation, an organization dedicated to ensuring fair representation of Israel at universities; the Israel Institute, which bolsters advocacy in Washington, D.C.; the Succat Shalom Center for Children and Families, an emergency shelter in Jerusalem for those in need; and the Schusterman Center for Jewish Studies at Brandeis University.
Schusterman is also a founding member of Birthright Israel, a program which brings young Jews to Israel to deepen their connection with the Jewish state.
Her commitment to Israel reaches beyond monetary contribution. In 2006, after Israel was barraged by rockets from Hezbollah, her foundation sent emergency aid, in addition to nearly 600 young volunteers from 17 countries to refurbish communities in the north of Israel.
Through her far-sighted generosity, Schusterman has strengthened Jewish body and soul alike.