Center for Jewish History Announces $25 Million Fund from Neri Oxman and Bill Ackman
New York, NY (December 11, 2025)
With Hanukkah approaching, a holiday that celebrates resilience, courage, and the triumph of light over darkness, the Center for Jewish History announces a $25 million fund to be created for the benefit of the Center by longtime leader and former Board Chair Bill Ackman and Neri Oxman.
Ackman and Oxman have agreed to create a $25 million endowment fund conditioned on the Center raising an additional $25 million as part of its $100 million endowment goal. If the $25 million amount is raised by the Center, Ackman and Oxman will manage the fund in an investment entity managed by Pershing Square on a no-fee basis, with 5% of the fund principal distributed to the Center annually.
This landmark challenge represents the largest single commitment in the Center’s 25-year history and anchors a major new effort to protect and celebrate Jewish history, life, and culture for generations to come.
“Bill and Neri’s generosity arrives at a moment of both urgency and hope,” says Dr. Gavriel Rosenfeld, President of the Center. “They have been stalwart guardians of this institution for more than a decade, and we are all grateful they are once again helping secure our future.”
The Ackman family’s relationship with the Center spans decades and reflects a deep commitment to honoring the past and preserving family heritage. Inspired by Larry Ackman’s devotion to remembering his own ancestors, the family established the Ackman and Ziff Family Genealogy Institute in 2007, creating the nation’s first permanent Jewish genealogy center to open to the public. Their partnership with the Center deepened over the years, with Bill serving as Board Chair from 2011 to 2014 and playing a pivotal role in strengthening the institution during a critical period by eliminating debt and securing long-term stability. In 2015, Larry and Bill appeared together as featured speakers at the Center’s “Titans of Industry” event, where Larry was honored for his leadership and vision.
“Beyond just preserving important records and documents, the Center’s work brings the history of the Jewish people to life in new ways that are critically important now more than ever,” said Ackman. “These resources are meant to secure the Center’s financial future, ensuring that creativity is the only limit to what it can achieve for generations to come.”
The Center also recognizes a group of “modern-day Maccabees,” who have joined Ackman in advancing this mission with courage and conviction including CJH Board Chair Peter Baldwin, Chair Emerita Amy Goldman Fowler, the Leon Levy Foundation, and Martin Peretz.
“What moves me most about this moment is Bill and Neri’s extraordinary leadership, and the way it inspires others to step forward. The individuals who join Bill and Neri in this effort show remarkable courage and commitment. They understand that preserving Jewish history requires all of us,” said Rio Daniel, CEO.
Today’s announcement also carries a moment of remembrance for Bruce Slovin, the visionary founder of the Center, who would have celebrated his 90th birthday yesterday. Slovin established the institution out of a profound conviction that the richness of the Jewish past must not only be protected, but widely accessible. His legacy continues to shape the Center’s mission and expanding impact.
The new matching endowment campaign will enable the Center to expand its reach, strengthen its programs, and preserve the Jewish story at a moment when the protection of historical truth is more urgent than ever.
