Yossi Prager

Yossi Prager is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Public Service.  He is also the Executive Director for North America of The AVI CHAI Foundation, a philanthropy founded by Zalman C. Bernstein.  Under Mr. Prager’s leadership since 1994, AVI CHAI has invested over $300 million to benefit the field of Jewish education.  Mr. Prager led the North American operation as the Foundation developed its strategic priorities, hired staff and developed philanthropic programs.  With AVI CHAI spending down by 2020, Mr. Prager’s leadership shifted in recent years to building collaborations with other funders and capacity building at key grant recipients. 

A graduate of Yeshiva College and Yale Law School, Mr. Prager practiced law at Debevoise & Plimpton in Manhattan before joining AVI CHAI. 

In addition to Mr. Prager’s work at AVI CHAI, he serves on the boards of communal and public policy organizations.  Mr. Prager served on The Governor’s Study Commission on New Jersey’s Nonpublic Schools, which produced recommendations for greater state support for New Jersey private and parochial schools.

Mr. Prager is a noted speaker and writes frequently.  He edited a book on Judaism and philanthropy entitled “Toward a Renewed Ethic of Jewish Philanthropy” and has been published in Philanthropy Magazine, eJewishphilanthropy.com and other publications_._