Stewardship Rooted in Experience
My philanthropy is rooted in lived experience, as someone who is both culturally and religiously Jewish, as a father, and as an individual shaped by learning differences and resilience. I believe deeply in inclusive religious freedom within educational environments and in the inherent dignity of neurodivergent learners. These convictions are not theoretical. They are personal.
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Growing up, my brother and I navigated dyslexia together. Later, while studying and working in Europe and the Middle East, I encountered antisemitism in academic and professional settings. In recent years, I have watched similar currents of hostility re emerge more visibly in the United States. These experiences reinforced a lasting conviction. Identity, whether religious, neurological, or cultural, must never become a barrier to belonging, safety, or excellence.
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As the father of a daughter with apraxia and a son with ADHD and other learning differences, I have seen how traditional systems often overlook extraordinary minds. That reality continues to shape both my philanthropy and my institutional commitments.
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Over the years, I have contributed millions of dollars to educational, religious, and neurodiversity centered institutions in Pennsylvania and Florida, prioritizing long term institutional strength over public recognition.
Expanding Opportunity in Florida
In Florida’s Panhandle, my philanthropy has focused on expanding opportunity for neurodivergent learners. This includes supporting specialized schools in the Santa Rosa Beach area, contributing to the Neurodiversity Fund, and increasing access to camps and adaptive programming.
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Together with my brother, I co founded The Barrett School, an inclusive STEM institution in the Destin area. We not only support the school financially, but actively teach and serve in administrative roles.
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At The Barrett School, we operate from a simple belief. Many students with learning differences are not limited. They are brilliant. Our own academic journeys in law, medicine, education, and business affirm that conviction. The school integrates rigorous science and technology education with individualized learning pathways so that neurodivergent students are not merely accommodated, but empowered to lead, innovate, and thrive.
Strengthening Jewish Communal Life
In Pennsylvania, my support has strengthened Jewish education and communal institutions, including Temple Beth Or in Blue Bell, the Torah Academy, and Temple Beth Hillel.
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These institutions serve as anchors of identity, learning, and continuity. Supporting them reflects my belief that religious freedom and communal strength must be actively sustained.
Additional Giving
Beyond institutional support, my philanthropy includes funding scholarships, supporting educational initiatives, and providing computers for a school in Kenya, expanding access to technology and learning beyond domestic borders.
Philanthropic Priorities
- Advancing inclusive religious freedom in education
- Expanding opportunity for neurodivergent learners
- Strengthening Jewish communal institutions
- Building sustainable educational infrastructure
A Long View
I view philanthropy not as transaction, but as stewardship, the long work of building institutions that defend dignity, cultivate intellect, and transform difference into strength.
I remain committed to continuing to support these institutions, and others like them, in the years ahead.
