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
- Rosenwald’s philanthropy was driven by justice, shaped by his Jewish heritage and commitment to racial equality
- His collaboration with Booker T. Washington created schools that transformed Black education in the segregated South.
- Rosenwald prioritized community empowerment over charity, fostering lasting educational and social change.
Essential Questions
- What motivates individuals to take action against injustice, even when it doesn’t directly affect them?
- How can philanthropy (tzedakah) be used as a tool for systemic change rather than temporary relief?
- What can we learn from Rosenwald and Washington’s partnership about bridging racial, religious, and economic divides?
