The Jewish Businessman Who Funded Black Schools

Julius Rosenwald, a Jewish business titan, partnered with Booker T. Washington to spark a quiet revolution. Together, they built schools for Black children in the segregated South, educating future leaders like Maya Angelou and Medgar Evers and creating opportunities where none existed.

Big Ideas

1. Rosenwald’s philanthropy was driven by justice, shaped by his Jewish heritage and commitment to racial equality
2. His collaboration with Booker T. Washington created schools that transformed Black education in the segregated South.
3. Rosenwald prioritized community empowerment over charity, fostering lasting educational and social change.

Essential Questions

1. What motivates individuals to take action against injustice, even when it doesn’t directly affect them?
2. How can philanthropy (tzedakah) be used as a tool for systemic change rather than temporary relief?
3. What can we learn from Rosenwald and Washington’s partnership about bridging racial, religious, and economic divides?