Rabbi Aaron Lerner Selected as One of LA Business Journal’s 500 Most Influential Angelenos
2025 2026
June 30, 2025
Lerner, a rabbi, has led the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles since 2023. In the role, he oversees the group’s charitable giving and grantmaking. The foundation has attracted $290 million in contributions and distributed $385 million in grants under his leadership. He brought the foundation’s total assets to $1.5 billion, making it one of the largest Jewish community foundations in the nation. He has increased its grant recipients by 400% to 229 organizations and oversaw the group’s efforts after the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel as well as the local wildfires. Lerner is a graduate of USC’s Marshall School of Business and worked in commercial real estate finance before making a career shift to Jewish nonprofit leadership.
May 11, 2026
Rabbi Aaron Lerner has led the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles since 2023, driving record-breaking philanthropic growth. Under his leadership, the Foundation attracted $435 million in contributions and distributed a record $603 million in grants, boosting total assets to over $1.5 billion.
Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of Southern California; Rabbinical Ordination, Yeshivat Chovevei Torah
First job: Mowing lawns at age 10
Favorite charity or cause: Coalition for Rainforest Nations outside of the Foundation
Favorite book: “The Overstory” by Richard Powers
Favorite pastime or hobby: Surfing
Favorite restaurant for fun: Hosting a Sabbath meal in our home
Favorite quote: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”