According to a recent report by the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy, the Bafrayung Fund has been identified as the primary supporter of pro-Palestinian activist groups engaged in campus demonstrations and related activities. This report, which gained significant media attention, underscores the extensive backing provided by the fund, which is backed by Israeli interests.
According to The Institute’s calculations, donations made to any organization that has ever supported or promoted pro-Palestinian events are included. However, The Daily Beast’s investigation reveals that the Bafrayung Fund, located in Covina, California, is among the most steadfast supporters of the Palestinian Youth Movement. This movement has played a significant part in the series of encampments that have emerged in colleges across the United States this year. Additionally, the Fund has generously contributed to two other organizations affiliated with the Palestinian Youth Movement: the Arab Resource and Organizing Center and Critical Resistance.
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Each of these organizations has used the controversial slogan “from the river to the sea,” which critics argue does not advocate for two coexisting states between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean, but rather implies the elimination of Israel as a political entity. Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and others, however, challenge this interpretation.
Meet Rachel Gelman, a 33-year-old Bay Area resident and member of the Levi Strauss family dynasty. Rachel is also the cousin of Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY). The Bafrayung Fund, which Rachel heads, is funded by two sources: Rachel’s personal wealth and the Morningstar Philanthropic Foundation. This foundation is the personal charity of Rachel’s parents, who are prominent Democratic Party donors and own a chain of publications serving East Coast Jewish communities. Notably, Rachel’s parents have a long history of involvement in organizations that promote American-Israeli relations. Fun fact: Rachel’s parents even got engaged on a kibbutz.
The connection between Rachel Gelman and the congressman, as well as the clothing empire, can be traced back to her mother, Susie Gelman. Last summer, President Joe Biden appointed Susie Gelman to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, after reportedly considering her for the position of U.S. ambassador to Israel. Susie Gelman, formerly known as Susan Goldman, is the granddaughter of Walter Haas, the businessman who transformed Levi Strauss from a small San Francisco wholesaler into a global denim brand. Her father, Richard Goldman, founded a major insurance company and even made it onto the Forbes billionaire list before selling the company in 2001. Her late brother, Richard, was a federal prosecutor and the father of the current U.S. representative.
Susie Gelman’s engagement in Jewish matters began at a young age. In fact, she met her husband through a youth group associated with the organization known today as the Jewish Federations of North America, where they both eventually assumed leadership positions. Together, they co-own the Mid-Atlantic Media Group, which publishes esteemed publications such as the Baltimore Jewish Times, the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent, and the Washington Jewish Week.
Susie Gelman’s connection to Israel started at a young age when she visited the Jewish state for the first time in 1970, at the age of 16. During the Second Intifada in the early 2000s, a period marked by violent suicide bombings targeting Israeli civilians, Gelman felt compelled to take action. Unable to simply watch as Israelis suffered, she volunteered at a Jerusalem hospital to provide support and aid during the difficult times.
Despite the ongoing tensions with the current leadership of the country, the Gelmans have consistently been one of the largest financial supporters of the Birthright Israel Foundation. They have not only sponsored free trips for Jewish young adults to Israel but also had a significant role as the former chairperson of the foundation.
Bafrayund has distributed funds to various left-wing causes, including those associated with pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli activism. One example is the $60,000 provided to the Palestinian Youth Movement, which was given to the group’s sponsor WESPAC in annual installments. Additionally, $40,000 was contributed to the Arab Resource and Organizing Center.
The Arab Resource and Organizing Committee has been actively participating in encampments at state schools in the Bay Area, including UC Berkeley and, most recently, UC San Francisco.
The People’s Conference for Palestine, held in Detroit over the weekend, had the Palestinian Youth Movement and the Arab Resource and Organizing Committee listed as “convening organizations.” During the conference, Representative Tlaib strongly criticized Biden, labeling him as an “enabler” of Netanyahu.
The Bafrayung Fund has also donated $298,000 to Critical Resistance. While initially focused on prison abolition, the organization has recently been involved in various pro-Palestinian events alongside the Palestinian Youth Movement and AROC. This includes participating in protests that temporarily disrupted operations at San Francisco Airport, the Bay Bridge, and the Port of Oakland.
During this election cycle, the Gelmans have generously gifted several politicians, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Rep. Nancy Pelosi, and their nephew, Rep. Dan Goldman. The Gelmans have contributed a total of $23,200 to Rep. Goldman’s committees.
Rachel Gelman, in contrast, has not contributed anything to her cousin. However, she has generously supported two of his left-wing colleagues: Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), who are both known for their criticism of Israel.
