Stephen and Ruth Hendel
/SOURCE OF WEALTH: Hartee Partners, Goldman Sachs, Hendel Productions
FUNDING AREAS: Arts & Culture, Jewish Causes, Health
OVERVIEW: Stephen Hendel and his wife Ruth move their philanthropy through the Stephen & Ruth Hendel Foundation, although grantmaking seems to have slowed in recent years. The couple particularly support the arts and Jewish causes via their foundation.
BACKGROUND: Stephen Hendel graduated with a B.A. from Yale University and a J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He was a partner at Goldman Sachs, and went on to co-found Hartree Partners, LP, a global merchant commodities firm specializing in energy and associated industries. He also backs theater with his wife Ruth.
Ruth Hendel grew up in an Orthodox family in Norwich, Connecticut. She attended Norwich Free Academy. She’s been a Broadway show backer since 2002, when she produced the play Metamorphoses. Since then, she has produced or associate- and co-produced many notable Broadway productions including revivals of ’night, Mother, Hamlet, In the Heights and, with her husband Stephen Hendel, Fela!
ARTS & CULTURE: Given the couple’s background it’s no surprise that their philanthropy prioritizes the arts, particularly in the New York City area. They recently directed a six-figure grant to New York Live Arts, of which Hendel is board co-chair. Other grantees have included Flea Theater, Second Stage Theater, Labyrinth Theater Company, and Eugene O’Neil Theater, where Ruth serves as vice chair and Hendel is also on the board. The Hendels have supported Afropop Worldwide, “an award-winning radio program, podcast and online magazine dedicated to music from Africa and the African diaspora.” One of the couple’s productions is Fela!, a musical about the legendary Nigerian musician and activist.
JEWISH CAUSES: Hendel grew up in a Conservative Jewish household and Ruth in an Orthodox family. They are strongly involved with The Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS), home to the Hendel Center for Ethics and Justice. Ruth Hendel has been a longtime member of the JTS Library’s board of directors, and since 2013, a trustee of the JTS board. The Hendels are donors to UJA-Federation of New York, American Jewish World Service, The Jewish Museum, Hadassah and their Conservative synagogue, the Westchester Jewish Center. It is worth noting that Hendel’s late father Myron was president of Congregation Beth El.
OTHER: The Hendels support health organizations like Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Project ALS. Hendel has supported Yale School of Drama and his school Phillips Exeter Academy.
LOOKING FORWARD: Expect the couple to stick with their demonstrated interest areas, with giving focused on the Greater New York City Area.
CONTACT:
The Stephen & Ruth Hendel Foundation does not provide a clear avenue of contact but below is an address:
Stephen & Ruth Hendel Foundation
10 Dundee Road
Larchmont, NY 10538
LINK: Ruth Hendel Playbill
