The Enduring Legacy of the Kushner Family – From Survival to Empire

Few American dynasties bridge the worlds of harrowing historical survival, cutthroat real estate, and high-stakes politics quite like the Kushner family. To the average observer, the name might conjure images of skyscrapers on Fifth Avenue or White House policy meetings. 

However, the true story of the Kushner legacy begins long before the boardrooms of New York City, in the forests of Eastern Europe.

From escaping the horrors of the Holocaust to building a billion-dollar real estate empire, the family’s trajectory is a study in resilience and ambition. 

Today, their influence spans generations, industries, and political aisles, making them a subject of intense public fascination.

Quick Bio: The Kushner Family Key Players

Origins: Escape from Novogrudok

To understand the aggressive drive of the Kushner business ethos, one must look at their origins in Novogrudok, Poland (now Belarus). The family patriarch, originally named Yossel Berkowitz, and matriarch, Rae Kushner, were not born into wealth. They were born into a nightmare.

The Tunnel of Hope

During World War II, the Jewish population of Novogrudok was decimated by the Nazis. Rae Kushner’s story is one of miraculous survival. Confined to a ghetto where 6,000 Jews had already been murdered, Rae and her family helped engineer a daring escape. 

Using spoons and makeshift tools, the prisoners dug a tunnel roughly 600 feet (200 meters) long, passing under the ghetto’s electric fences.

On the night of the escape in September 1943, Rae and her future husband, Yossel (who took the name Joseph), crawled through the mud to freedom. 

They eventually joined the Bielski partisans, a Jewish resistance group living in the Naliboki Forest, a story famously depicted in the film Defiance.

A New Life in America

After the war, Joseph and Rae spent three and a half years in a displaced persons camp in Italy before immigrating to the United States in 1949. They arrived with little more than their lives and a determination to rebuild. 

This foundational trauma and triumph formed the bedrock of the family’s identity: a belief that survival requires grit, and success is the only option.

Building the Real Estate Empire

Joseph Kushner began his American dream not as a tycoon, but as a carpenter. However, he quickly pivoted to construction, partnering with Harry and Joseph Wilf to develop suburban apartments in New Jersey. 

By the time of his death in 1985, Joseph had built a portfolio of over 4,000 apartments, laying the groundwork for his sons.

The Great Split: Kushner Companies vs. KRE Group

A common misconception is that the “Kushner real estate empire” is a single, monolithic entity. It is actually divided, stemming from a rift between Joseph’s sons, Charles and Murray.

Kushner Companies

Founded by Charles Kushner in 1985. This branch is responsible for the family’s most aggressive expansions, including the move into the Manhattan skyline and the acquisition of the Puck Building.

Kushner Real Estate Group (KRE)

Founded by Murray Kushner (originally as SK Properties). This branch largely stayed true to Joseph’s original vision of steady, low-profile residential development in New Jersey.

Jared’s Billion-Dollar Bet

When Charles Kushner faced legal troubles in the mid-2000s, his son Jared, then only in his 20s, stepped in as CEO. Jared sought to elevate the family profile from New Jersey developers to Manhattan power players.

His crowning move was the 2007 purchase of 666 Fifth Avenue. At a price tag of $1.8 billion, it was the most expensive single-building property purchase in US history at the time. 

While the deal signaled the family’s arrival on the global stage, it also became a financial albatross during the 2008 financial crisis, leading to years of debt restructuring and eventual bailout deals involving Brookfield Asset Management.

The Matriarch’s Influence: Family Values and Faith

While the Kushner men dominated the headlines, Seryl Kushner (Charles’s wife) provided the stabilizing force behind the scenes. Born Seryl Stadtmauer, she instilled deep religious roots in her children Jared, Joshua, Nicole, and Dara.

The family adheres to Modern Orthodox Judaism, a commitment that dictates their lifestyle, from keeping Kosher to observing the Sabbath. This devotion to faith has played a public role in the family’s narrative, most notably requiring significant others to integrate into the fold. 

Both Ivanka Trump (Jared’s wife) and Karlie Kloss (Joshua’s wife) converted to Judaism before marrying into the family, a testament to the non-negotiable nature of the Kushner religious identity.

Philanthropy: A Legacy of Education

The Kushner family has consistently funneled their wealth back into their community, with a laser focus on Jewish education and continuity. They view their philanthropy as a duty to honor the survival of the previous generation.

Primary Beneficiaries

• Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy: Located in Livingston, NJ, this school was named in honor of the family patriarch.
• Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School: Also in Livingston, this institution honors Rae’s legacy and serves hundreds of students.
• The Wall of Memory: The Seryl and Charles Kushner Family Foundation donated $36,000 to help build a memorial at the site of the former Novogrudok ghetto, ensuring the history of the “Tunnel of Hope” is never lost.

Their charitable giving is often strategic, aimed at institutions that reinforce the values of their faith and ensure the survival of Jewish heritage.

Political Involvement and Controversy

The Kushner family was historically one of the largest donors to the Democratic Party in New Jersey. Charles Kushner was a key backer of Governor Jim McGreevey and held considerable sway in local politics.

However, the political allegiance shifted dramatically with the 2016 presidential election. Jared Kushner’s role as Senior Advisor to his father-in-law, Donald Trump, placed the family at the center of global geopolitics. 

Jared was tasked with a vast portfolio, ranging from Middle East peace treaties (the Abraham Accords) to the COVID-19 response.

This proximity to power brought intense scrutiny. Critics pointed to potential conflicts of interest between the family’s real estate debts specifically regarding 666 Fifth Avenue and Jared’s foreign policy dealings in the Middle East.

The Next Generation: Venture Capital and Tech

While the second generation focused on bricks and mortar, the third generation has diversified into the digital economy.

Joshua Kushner, the younger brother of Jared, has carved out a distinct path separate from the political and real estate controversies of his family. In 2010, he founded Thrive Capital, a venture capital firm that has invested in massive tech successes like Instagram, Spotify, and Stripe.

Furthermore, Joshua co-founded Oscar Health, a health insurance technology company that went public in 2021. His trajectory suggests a modernization of the Kushner legacy moving from physical landlords to digital innovators.

Challenges and Legal Battles

No history of the Kushner family is complete without addressing the legal turmoil that threatened to dismantle it. In 2004, Charles Kushner pleaded guilty to 18 counts of tax evasion, witness tampering, and making illegal campaign contributions.

The case was salacious and widely publicized, particularly the witness tampering charge, which involved Charles hiring a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law, William Schulder, who was cooperating with federal authorities. The act was videotaped and sent to his sister, Esther.

Charles served 14 months in federal prison. The prosecutor who put him behind bars was Chris Christie, leading to a long-standing feud between the families. In December 2020, in one of his final acts as President, Donald Trump granted Charles Kushner a full pardon, closing a painful chapter for the family.

Frequently Asked Questions 

How did the Kushner family make their money?

The family wealth originated with Joseph Kushner’s construction of 4,000 apartments in New Jersey. It expanded significantly under Charles Kushner through Kushner Companies, which focused on acquiring large residential and commercial portfolios.

What is the difference between Kushner Companies and KRE Group?

Kushner Companies is owned by Charles Kushner and was formerly led by Jared. KRE Group (Kushner Real Estate Group) is a separate entity owned by Murray Kushner, Charles’s estranged brother.

Did Jared Kushner’s grandparents really escape a concentration camp?

They escaped the Novogrudok ghetto (not a concentration camp, but a forced labor confinement) in Poland by digging a 600-foot tunnel. They later joined the Bielski partisans in the forest.

How much did Jared Kushner pay for 666 Fifth Avenue?

In 2007, Jared Kushner led the purchase of 666 Fifth Avenue for a record-breaking $1.8 billion, the highest price ever paid for a single office building in the US at that time.

Is Joshua Kushner a Republican?

Joshua Kushner has publicly stated he is a lifelong Democrat and did not vote for Donald Trump in 2016, distinguishing his political stance from his brother Jared.

What is the net worth of the Kushner family?

Estimates vary, but in late 2016, Forbes estimated the combined net worth of Charles, Seryl, Jared, and Joshua at approximately $1.8 billion. By 2024, some reports suggest the broader family assets under management have grown significantly, potentially reaching over $7 billion.

Who is Seryl Kushner?

Seryl Kushner is the wife of Charles and mother of Jared, Joshua, Nicole, and Dara. She is known for her philanthropic work and for maintaining the family’s strict religious observance.

Why was Charles Kushner sent to prison?

He was convicted in 2005 on 18 counts including tax evasion, illegal campaign contributions, and witness tampering. He served 14 months.

What businesses does Joshua Kushner own?

Joshua founded Thrive Capital, a venture capital firm, and co-founded Oscar Health, an insurance tech company.

Did Charles Kushner receive a pardon?

Yes, Charles Kushner received a full and unconditional pardon from President Donald Trump on December 23, 2020.

Conclusion: A Legacy Still Being Written

The Kushner family story is a complex tapestry of survival, immense wealth, bitter feuds, and political power. From the mud of a tunnel in Belarus to the marble halls of the White House, their journey is undeniably American in its scope and ambition.

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