Image credit: Lanie Berger from Unsplash
For Aaron Zises, philanthropy isn’t just a value, it’s part of his DNA. Raised in a home deeply committed to Jewish causes, his earliest memories include his parents hosting events and mission briefings in their living room. “My first UJA mission,” he jokes, “was in utero.” That early exposure to tzedakah and communal responsibility laid the foundation for a lifetime of giving, and leading.
Zises credits much of his philanthropic mindset to his mother, who took an unconventional step by launching a philanthropic volunteer program at his middle school, believing that values-based giving shouldn’t wait until high school. While he initially protested the idea, as any middle schooler would, he now looks back on it with deep gratitude. That experience led to his involvement in the Jewish Board’s teen program, where he began organizing volunteer efforts at Yachad Good Sports, a Brooklyn Special Olympics-type program. “I loved the feeling of bringing people together around a good cause,” he says. “That’s become my mission ever since.”
Leading Through Connection
Aaron’s passion for building community has remained a constant throughout his life. In college and graduate school, he helped establish Chabad centers at Washington University in St. Louis and at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, creating inclusive Jewish spaces where students from all backgrounds could come together.
Perhaps one of his most transformative efforts for Jewish causes was revitalizing the Chelsea Shul in Manhattan. What was once a dwindling congregation became a thriving center for Jewish life, thanks to a 99-year lease secured with the help of Zises, an energetic young Rabbi and a small team of dedicated law students and young professionals. “We raised a couple million dollars, brought in hundreds of young people for High Holidays services, and even helped launch a nursery school,” he shares. “The continuity of that community is something I’m incredibly proud of.”
Another cornerstone of Zises’ impact is Generosity, a UJA initiative he was instrumental in establishing to engage young Jewish professionals in giving. What began as a party to bring young, Jewish singles together evolved into a robust platform for offering speaker series, volunteer projects, Jewish learning, and immersive global missions. Two decades later, Generosity continues to thrive, embodying Aaron’s belief that philanthropy should be communal, joyful, and lasting.
Integrating Philanthropy into Wealth Management
Today, Aaron brings that same passion to his role as a Private Wealth Advisor at NewEdge Wealth. For him, financial advising is about more than managing portfolios, it’s about understanding clients’ values and helping them use their wealth to make an impact. Philanthropy, he says, is embedded into every client relationship from the start.
“Some clients are surprised when I ask about charitable giving right away,” he notes. “But it’s often a highly personal and revealing part of our discussion. When people talk about the causes they care about, their faces light up.”
Zises helps clients become more tax-efficient givers, introducing them to tools like donor advised funds (DAFs), which many high-net-worth individuals still aren’t familiar with. “It’s surprising how many successful donors are still giving via check or credit card,” he says. “There’s so much room to be more strategic and impactful.”
One of the common misconceptions Zises encounters is that a DAF and a private foundation are mutually exclusive. In fact, he often advises clients on how to use both in tandem, leveraging the operational simplicity of a DAF for smaller, more flexible grants while maintaining the structure of a foundation for larger-scale initiatives. “It’s about education,” he says. “Even many board members of major nonprofits don’t fully understand the advantages.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
Zises is also deeply committed to making philanthropy multi-generational. He encourages clients to name their children as recommenders on their DAF accounts, helping them experience the power of giving firsthand. “You can allocate a portion of your fund for your kids to recommend grants from. It’s a great way to start conversations about values and priorities at the family table.”
His advice for those just beginning their philanthropic journey? Show up. “Some of my most meaningful relationships began at events I wasn’t sure I wanted to attend,” he says. “You don’t need a big checkbook to have an impact, just time, curiosity, and a willingness to connect.”
Zises also emphasizes the value of peer leadership and mentorship. “Older, successful professionals are often eager to mentor younger people. Philanthropy can be a bridge to build those relationships.”
A Lasting Impact for Jewish Causes
Whether through supporting Jewish causes, guiding clients toward meaningful giving, or helping young leaders find their voice, Aaron Zises embodies a philanthropic philosophy grounded in action, community, and continuity. As he puts it, “Giving is core to being Jewish. It’s not separate from who we are. It’s an expression of it.”
And through every grant recommended, every community built, and every new generation inspired, Aaron continues to lead by example, just like his parents did. Now, as he and his wife Blake raise their two children, they’re passing those same values forward, speaking openly about tzedakah and showing that generosity is not just taught, but lived.