Osher, Explained: NYC's Buzziest Jewish Rolodex Gets a Glow-Up

Osher Partners — Quick Background Osher Partners (rebranded from YJP Foundation in late 2024) is a New York nonprofit that describes itself as "a hub of Jewish wealth creators, philanthropists, and innovators." Its roots go back to YJP — Young Jewish Professionals — founded in 2008–09 out of Chabad of Gramercy Park as a business networking group for young Jewish leaders, best known as NYC's go-to Jewish real estate networking organization operating out of "the Mansion" near Union Square. The leadership story is complicated: YJP was created by Rabbi Naftali Rotenstreich, who hired Rabbi Shaya Lesches for fundraising. Lesches incorporated a separate nonprofit (YJP Foundation) in 2018, and the two rabbis have since fought in both rabbinical and NY Supreme Court over control of the brand, funds, and the ~$6M East 16th Street building. The rabbinical court ruled for Lesches in 2023 and awarded YJPF the property; the secular court largely upheld that, and Rotenstreich has been appealing. The result is two separate organizations — Rotenstreich's YJP and Lesches's YJPF, which rebranded as Osher. Lesches is the co-founder/director behind Osher; Brooke Steinman is listed as Managing Director. Since the rebrand (~2 years ago, matching the new-looking website), Osher has positioned itself upmarket: curated peer groups ("Minyans"), an "Osher Rolodex," VIP philanthropy roundtables, giving circles, monthly mentorship forums, and national/international retreats (a CEO & Founders Kentucky Retreat in Oct 2025, CEO missions to Israel). Its giving focus areas are orphans, antisemitism, education, and Israel, with charity partners including Belev Echad, NATAL, Chabad on Campus, and Lev Chana. The site features names like Bracken Darrell (Logitech), Cathy Bessant (Bank of America), Alex Gourlay (Walgreens Boots), and Ed Moed (Hot Paper Lantern), and lists annual partners including Google, Accenture, Bank of America, Kirkland & Ellis, Davis Polk, Morgan Lewis, David Yurman, and United Airlines. Historically YJP raised roughly $700–800K/year. The network itself is the product and is super powerful. Looking forward to joining the Hamptons Retreat in August! https://www.osherpartners.org/