The Steering Committee Co-Chairs:
Dr. Victor & Kimberly Avis
Robin M'97 & Danny Lefkowitz
Steering Committee:
Rabbi Abraham Unger, Assistant Professor and Director of Urban Programs
Dr. Ronald Avis
Dr. Dennis & Elaine Bloomfield
Aletta Kipp '65 & Robert Diamond
Marcia & Monroe Klein
Linda & Irwin Steinman
Bobby M'61 & Allan Weissglass
The Chai Society of Wagner College is dedicated to the strengthening of ties between the College and the Jewish community. Through support for academic studies and co-curricular activities, the Chai Society promotes knowledge and understanding of the richness of the Jewish experience.
The Chai Society at Wagner College:
Wagner College was founded in 1883 upon the need to be a part of an underserved community. Over the years, this community has changed and grown; however, Wagner’s commitment to community has remained. Today, Wagner College is proud of its long years of serving a diverse community, and seeks to build on this foundation of valuing and embracing difference. Wagner College seeks to recruit students from all groups: religious, ethnic, racial, sexual, demographic and cultural.
Wagner College is actively reaching out to the Jewish community by establishing the Chai Society, dedicated to the strengthening of ties between the College and the Jewish community.
All contributions will support the mission of the Chai Society.
The Chai Society strives to:
• strengthen the connection between the Staten Island community and Wagner College;
• enrich Jewish programming and the Jewish student population at Wagner College; and
• attract and retain a growing Jewish presence at Wagner College.
With such contributions, students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Jewish culture by studying abroad in Israel.
"I'm in the center of the world, for everything-religion, politics. And it looks so peaceful and serene." (Katie Jo Younkins)
Charter Member
Charter Member families of the Society are eligible to enroll by making an annual contribution of $1,800. Charter Member families receive the following, plus all benefits of the Sustaining Members:
• special lunch with Wagner’s president, Dr. Richard Guarasci.
• pre-theatre dinners;
• Chai Society Charter Member pin.
Sustaining Member
Sustaining Member families of the Chai Society can apply for membership by making an annual contribution of $1,000.
Benefits include:
• automatic membership in the Wagner College Inner Circle of donors which includes invitations to special events and receptions
• special invitations to College Theatre productions;
• two issues of the Chai Society newsletter each year;
• ability to audit classes;
• invited participation in Wagner College Jewish programming and events throughout the year;
• Chai Society membership meetings;
• Chai society Sustaining Member pin.
Friends of the Chai Society
Become a Friend of the Chai Society by making a gift of $100 to $999. Your gift will further support and build Jewish community programming at Wagner and outreach to the Staten Island community. As a Friend of the Chai Society you will receive two issues of the Chai Society Newsletter and be invited to Chai Society lectures and the Chai Speakers’ Series.
For More Information
The Chai Society at Wagner College is facilitated through the joint efforts of the Office of Development, Dr. Ronald Avis, chair of fundraising for the Chai Society; and Dr. Rabbi Unger, Assistant Professor and Director of Urban Programs. For more information about the Chai Society or to join, please contact Andrew Babitts '03, M'06, Major Gift Officer at 718.420.4516 or via email at ababitts@wagner.edu
