Oil and gas billionaires, the Schusterman family, have made a significant donation of $300,000 to Adamah, the largest Jewish environmental organization, to address the climate crisis. This grant marks the family’s first foray into environmental philanthropy. The Schusterman Family Philanthropies, known for supporting education, criminal justice, and voting rights, is now expanding its focus to include environmentalism.
The grant reflects a shared vision between the Schustermans and Adamah to make a positive impact on the Jewish community and the planet. The foundation’s statement emphasizes the family’s long-held values and commitment to leveraging resources for environmental change.
Led by Stacy Schusterman, the foundation has a history of supporting racial, gender, and economic equity in the U.S., as well as strengthening the Jewish community and Israel. Stacy Schusterman’s political views, favoring the Democratic Party and supporting President Joe Biden’s climate agenda, set her apart from other oil and gas industry leaders. Her company, Samson Energy, sold for $7.2 billion in 2011, allowing the Schusterman philanthropy to grow significantly.
Adamah, meaning “earth” in Hebrew, is part of the Jewish climate movement, focusing on leadership, education, and community-building. The organization’s cooperative approach contrasts with more activist groups like Dayenu, which mobilize against oil companies and advocate for divestment from fossil fuels. However, both groups are part of a growing awareness within the Jewish community of the need to address the climate crisis.
The Schusterman family’s support for Adamah highlights a shift in priorities towards environmental issues, signaling a broader trend among Jewish organizations to engage in climate action.
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