News Brief

Robert Aronson has been named the acting president of the Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life. Aronson, the chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, will continue to hold his post at the federation. He has become a consultant to Steinhardt in recent years, most recently working on the philanthropist’s Areivim project, a $100 million fund to transform Jewish education. Aronson replaces Rabbi Irving “Yitz” Greenberg, who left the foundation — then called the Jewish Life Network — in the spring. Steinhardt, the ex-hedge fund maven, has given away some $125 million to Jewish causes since 1994, most notably founding birthright israel and the Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education. “I have admired Michael Steinhardt and the work of his foundation for many years,” Aronson said. “Michael shows the boldness and courage necessary if we as a community are to take the risks required for making Jewish life relevant to the vast majority of American Jews. I feel privileged to be offered the opportunity to lead his Foundation in this interim position.”