About Us
The Aviv Foundation is a family philanthropy founded in 2016. We are committed to funding efforts that provide disadvantaged children with opportunities to improve their lives, with a particular focus on child welfare and education. The foundation also supports efforts to promote pluralistic Jewish engagement; build a peaceful and equal-opportunity society in Israel; and promote civic engagement and voting rights for all US citizens.
Our Team
The professional staff of the Aviv Foundation working on the Springboard Prize for Child Welfare includes Rena Johnson, Director of Philanthropy for Children and Families; Adam Simon, Executive Director; and Jamie Lee Kiles, Program Director. In the creation and launch of the Springboard Prize for Child Welfare, we are grateful for the instrumental support of ChildFocus.
Chani Katzen Laufer serves as President of the Aviv Foundation. She is involved in Jewish communal activities and serves on the board of Yeshivat Maharat, the first rabbinical seminary in the United States to ordain Orthodox Jewish women. Before focusing on philanthropy, Chani worked as a Law Guardian in the Bronx and New York City Family Courts representing children in abuse, neglect, and custody cases.
Dr. Steven Laufer serves as Treasurer of the Aviv Foundation. He works as an economist at the Myers-JDC-Brookdale Institute and was formerly a Principal Economist at the Federal Reserve Board. Steve also dedicates his time to various Jewish nonprofit organizations and currently serves as the board chair of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah and a board member at the Shalom Hartman Institute. Before becoming an economist, Steve spent several years teaching high school science.