Chicago'sbel Friedman is known for his philanthropy, but it's what he and his wife, Avi, have done for Chicago's Jewish community that's caught the attention of the Chicago Tribune.
The couple has established thebel and Avi Friedman Foundation, which has given more than $10 million to dozens of Chicago-area Jewish organizations.
The Friedmans' focus is on education, community development, and fighting anti-Semitism, but they've also been active in other community organizations, including the Jewish Women's Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago, the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, and the World Jewish Congress American Section.
The Friedmans' philanthropic work is "largely conducted through a Jewish lens," Avi Friedman tells the Tribune, which notes that the foundation's website says it's "committed to working towards a more just society."
Among the organizations receiving grants from the foundation: Northwestern University Hillel, the Anti-Defamation League, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago, the Anti-Defamation League, Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston, Maot Chitim of Greater Boston, and Friends of the Israel Defense Forces.
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