Remembering Bernie Marcus
Mr. Bernie Marcus meeting with NCSY Atlanta Teens.
This past November, beloved philanthropist Bernie Marcus passed away at ninety-five years old.
“Bernie was an extraordinary philanthropist, visionary, and steadfast supporter of Jewish communities around the world, and especially in Atlanta,” said Rabbi Micah Greenland, international director, NCSY. “As the co-founder of Home Depot, Bernie Marcus built more than a business empire; he established a legacy of generosity that has transformed countless lives and strengthened Jewish identity across generations.”
In 2020, the Atlanta-based Marcus Family Foundation, under the aegis of Mr. Marcus, launched RootOne, a program to subsidize and improve Israel education for the trips to Israel of Jewish teenagers. The program, aimed at youth ages 13–18 before they became eligible to participate in the popular Birthright Israel program, was developed with the help of The Jewish Education Project. RootOne, which does not offer its own travel programs to and in Israel, provides $3,000 vouchers toward the cost of a broad group of three-week or longer programs in the Jewish state to Jewish teens.
While RootOne has partnered with many major Jewish youth organizations, NCSY has been amongst the largest participants.
“Bernie’s commitment to Jewish teens stood out as a testament to his belief in a strong Jewish future,” said Rabbi Greenland. “Teens who come back from an NCSY Israel experience are more mature in their Jewish outlook and more empowered to make decisions for their lives Jewishly.”
Even in failing health, Mr. Marcus continued to donate millions of dollars to RootOne.
“The RootOne vision was very close to Bernie Marcus’ heart,” said Jay Kaiman, the Marcus Foundation’s president. “He recognized long ago the crisis of antisemitism in America—particularly on college campuses—and was committed to innovative solutions to ensure the safety and future of the young Jewish population.”
Born to Jewish émigré parents from Russia, Mr. Marcus grew up in Newark, New Jersey. “His mother taught him at a very young age about the concept of tzedakah, about giving back,” Kaiman said.
Bernie’s commitment to Jewish teens stood out as a testament to his belief in a strong Jewish future.
Mr. Marcus was also a philanthropic supporter of the NCSY-affiliated Jewish Student Union (JSU) clubs in Atlanta public high schools. “Bernie was an early investor in JSU clubs in public high schools in the Atlanta area, which remains one of our largest and most successful JSU chapters in the country, thanks to the efforts of Rabbi Chaim Neiditch,” said Rabbi Greenland. “Bernie invested in Atlanta Jewish life at a time when there were no others contributing at his level. He helped expand JSU considerably on a local basis, as a precursor to its national expansion.
“Throughout his life,” said Rabbi Chaim Neiditch, director of Greater Atlanta NCSY, who knew Mr. Marcus personally for many years. “Bernie embodied the Jewish value of tzedakah—charity, justice and compassion. His philanthropic vision reached into the very heart of Jewish life, transforming communities, uplifting individuals, and empowering future generations to embrace and celebrate their heritage.”
Steve Lipman is a frequent contributor to Jewish Action.