The Rashi School is pleased to announce that Barry Shrage, who is stepping down from his role as CEO and President of Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP), will join The Rashi School Board of Trustees. Barry, a highly respected leader widely recognized for his tireless support of Jewish education and social justice programs, will officially become part of the Rashi board in August 2018.
“We are thrilled to have Barry Shrage join our board,” said Rebecca Burack, president of the Rashi School Board of Trustees. “His work at CJP has been nothing short of remarkable. Beyond that, Barry is extremely committed to Jewish learning and fully understands Rashi’s mission and core values. He has proven to be an exceptional force in the Jewish community, here in Boston as well as throughout the world. We look forward to his invaluable insight, ideas, and guidance.”
As president of CJP since 1987, Barry focused on Jewish education and engaging future generations, strengthening connections to Israel through community-to-community and people-to-people partnerships. He inspired the Jewish community to contribute more than $55 million to CJP’s 2015 Annual Campaign. Barry has been instrumental in the creation of several cutting-edge programs designed to engage the next generation in meaningful Jewish life and create a welcoming, inclusive Jewish community. During the recession that began in 2008, he helped to develop CJP’s Economic Response, which provided additional funding to meet the needs of the most vulnerable, including isolated seniors, immigrants, the unemployed, and people with disabilities. To date, Barry Shrage has raised more than $1 billion for the local Jewish community.
After graduating from City College of New York, Barry earned a master’s degree in social work from Boston University. He and his wife, Ellie, live in Newton, where they raised their two children. They have five grandchildren.
As a member of the Rashi Board, Shrage will play an integral role in maintaining the superior education, creative vision, and long-term goals of the school. “”I have been an ardent supporter of Day Schools and The Rashi School for many years and share their commitment to academic excellence, social justice programming, and Jewish approach to learning,” said Shrage. “It is an honor to join the Board of Trustees. I am excited to work with such a talented group of individuals.”