Being a philanthropist, I am constantly exposed to the dreams of dreamers. The hardest job is choosing which ones to support and build upon. For me, the dreams must not only be ambitious, they have to reflect passions close to my own: A passion for caring, for learning, for Jewish life, and for service; a passion for action and results; a passion for partnership and sharing. A great dreamer is one who visualizes opportunities that others don’t.I work with visionary dreamers – among them are people who advocate for improved children’s services in my hometown of Tulsa, or educators who bring Jewish history to life in college classrooms, or the gifted artists who enrich the lives of thousands around the world. These dreamers use their imagination as a sixth sense. Similarly, my partners in tzedakah envision a perfect world. They sense the possibility close at hand of tikkun olam, repairing the world. They are willing to follow their dreams and make them happen.
To some, the term “dreamer” has become synonymous with “unrealistic.” To me, a dreamer understands reality, projects hope and identifies ways to combine the two in pursuit of a better tomorrow. I am fortunate to be surrounded by people who believe in the future, not only for themselves but also for future generations. Otherwise, there would be no point to philanthropy. It is always about the future. It is always about the dreamers . . . and their dreams. I too am a dreamer.
Lynn Schusterman is Chair of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation. www.schusterman.org
