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During their 21 years of marriage, Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine have navigated the ups and downs of life using the “bedrock Jewish values” instilled by their parents. These principles have steered them in the right direction, helping them to raise two teenage daughters and guiding Jonathan as Chair of Bain Capital. Today, these values are also the driving force behind their generous support of CJP.
“Our parents helped us understand that tikkun olam — repairing the world — is part of what it means to be Jewish. CJP has been a central organization in our pursuit of tikkun olam,” says Jeannie.
For decades, the Lavines have provided consistent support to CJP, but in recent years, they’ve felt compelled to increase their investment in Israel, and in the Jewish future. Jonathan says that his experience on a CJP mission to Israel in 2012 opened his eyes “to the diverse fabric of CJP’s work, and how we can pursue our desire for social change and express our Jewish identity.”
Much of their annual gift remains unrestricted, allowing CJP the flexibility to address urgent needs and to pursue strategic community priorities. At the same time, the Lavines sought to strengthen CJP's capacity to launch programs that deepen young adults' connection with Israel.
In order to do so, they increased their gift to support Onward Israel Boston and Alternative Spring Break, two programs that provide internship and service learning opportunities for local college students who want to make a difference in Israel while gaining valuable leadership experience in the private and nonprofit sectors.
“I always describe service learning as a double mitzvah,” says Jonathan. “It creates a life-changing experience for the volunteers, while they in turn are improving the lives of others.” The fact that the programs create strong, personal connections between Greater Boston’s Jewish community and Israel is especially meaningful to the Lavines.
“Israel is our homeland and the historic land of our forefathers, but it is also very much a reflection of the Jewish present,” says Jonathan. “We hope that these programs become permanent fixtures in the lives of Boston youth and build their love and support for the State of Israel.”
The Lavines’ visionary leadership and generous funding allowed CJP to launch Onward Israel Boston last year. TThey also significantly expanded the program, enabling 70 Boston students (the largest single-community delegation nationwide) to spend the summer learning, working, and living in Israel. Students shared their excitement nearly as soon as their plane touched down, tweeting and blogging about their life-changing experiences, with many already planning for a return visit.
The Lavines are also supporting the Alternative Spring Break program, a week-long service learning project based in Boston’s sister city of Haifa. Students volunteered for projects that included working with troubled adolescents at the Yemin Orde Youth Village and restoring a heritage site outside of Jerusalem. Participants returned infused with a love of Israel and with new insights on leadership and activism.
Jeannie says that projects like Alternative Spring Break can lift communities and create systemic change. “We believe that the best way to perpetuate tikkun olam is by instilling values of volunteerism, community, and investing one’s good fortune in youth.”
The Lavines view their Jewish heritage as a generational gift. By partnering with CJP, they ensure young people in Israel and Boston develop strong Jewish identities. Together, their giving will help build strong Jewish identities for generations to come, both in Israel and here in Boston.
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