The YIVO Institute for Jewish Research Launches Public Phase of its Centennial Campaign to Build the Jewish Future by Safeguarding its Past

(New York, NY) – Last night, the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research (YIVO) announced the launch of the public phase of its Centennial Campaign, a transformative fundraising effort to safeguard the perpetuation of Jewish culture in an ever-changing global landscape.

For a century, YIVO has pioneered new forms of Jewish scholarship, research, education, and cultural expression. The YIVO Archives contains twenty-four million unique items and YIVO’s Library has over 400,000 volumes—the single largest resource for the study of East European Jewish life in the world. The campaign seeks to raise $40 million to build new educational programs, expand its exhibitions and public programs, and digitize its archives to increase accessibility while growing our institutional capacity to better serve our global community.

Since the quiet phase of the campaign began in 2022, YIVO has already raised over $34 million, 85% of its goal thanks to the generosity of early donors, foundations, and community partners.

“We invite the entire community to join us in shaping the future of YIVO,” said Jonathan Brent, Executive Director and CEO, “Jewish life, culture, and spirit can flourish only through the power of knowledge of our past.”

The public phase of the campaign encourages community members, alumni, businesses, and supporters to participate in reaching its goal and ensuring YIVO can continue its work well into the next century. Contributions can be made online at yivo.org/CENT2025, or by contacting Melissa S. Cohen, Chief Development Officer, via email at mcohen@yivo.org.

Ruth Levine, Board Chair and Co-Chair of the Centennial Campaign, stated, “This campaign reaffirms our commitment to the whole story of Ashkenazi Jews. Every gift—large or small—brings us closer to preserving this historic institution.”

For any media inquiries please contact:
Shelly Freeman
Chief of Staff

YIVO

The YIVO Institute for Jewish Research is dedicated to the preservation and study of the history and culture of Eastern European Jewry worldwide. For a century, YIVO has pioneered new forms of Jewish scholarship, research, education, and cultural expression. Our public programs and exhibitions, as well as online and on-site courses, extend our global outreach and enable us to share our vast resources. The YIVO Archives contains more than 24 million original items, and YIVO’s Library has over 400,000 volumes—the single largest resource for such study in the world. yivo.org / yivo.org/the-whole-story