Our Priorities

Honor Our Jewish Legacy

We support health providers, advocates, and services that serve the Jewish community.

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Honoring Our Legacy

Michael Reese Hospital was built on the value of Tikkun Olam - to repair the world. Michael Reese Health Trust was launched to carry on that mission.

  • The Jewish founders of Michael Reese Hospital held a commitment to welcome everyone, to provide care to those without the ability to pay, and to be caring and compassionate people.

    Their work inspired generations of philanthropic leaders to support all community members in living healthy lives.

  • Today, Michael Reese honors and continues that legacy by focusing a portion of our resources on Jewish-led organizations addressing health challenges in Chicagoland.

  • Honoring our Jewish legacy guides our work and underscores the importance of community, compassion, and social responsibility.

Our Approach

As part of our legacy, we support organizations in Chicagoland that play a vital role in meeting the needs of the area's diverse Jewish community. Guided by compassion and justice, these organizations improve lives both within and beyond the Jewish community.

We help Jewish organizations stay strong and effective by building strong leadership and supporting skilled staff, creating responsive programs that meet community needs and developing sustainable strategies to ensure long-term impact.

Featured Work

Our Partnership with JCC Chicago

JCC Chicago stands proudly as the largest JCC in North America, committed to enriching Jewish life. In the wake of the Hamas massacre on October 7th, Michael Reese recognized how critical the moment was and reached out to JCC Chicago with a simple yet profound question: “How can we help?”

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Nurturing and Sustaining Essential Organizations

Our funding has ensured the survival and growth of dozens of single-focus agencies, such as SHALVA and CJE Senior Life, along with mainstays of comprehensive health care like Sinai Health Systems. We also helped launch what is now the Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics, a national leader in education and outreach related to genetic disorders and hereditary cancers.

Let's Connect

Questions? Reach out at hello@wearemichaelreese.org