The Kessler family invests in the future of Hillel at Rochester with a new gift

Larry and Karen Kessler

Rochester Trustee Larry Kessler, his wife, Karen, and his brother, Dennis—the Edward J. and Agnes V. Ackley Clinical Professor in Entrepreneurship at the University’s Simon Business School—have made a $1 million commitment to establish the Kessler Family Fund, an endowed gift that will benefit Hillel at Rochester. Their generosity will provide long-term support for Jewish life on campus, strengthening Hillel’s ability to create meaningful experiences and foster a vibrant, inclusive community.

“Dennis and I were raised with the understanding that each of us has a responsibility to care for those who come after us,” says Larry, a Rochester entrepreneur and business leader. “In Hebrew, the phrase tikkun olam literally means ‘to repair the world’—a concept deeply woven into Jewish life and culture, and one that was certainly a big part of our upbringing. It influenced our approach to philanthropy and engagement overall and it’s why we’ve supported many areas across the University. It’s also why we are making this gift—to ensure that Jewish life and Hillel at Rochester remain strong, especially at this moment in time.”

“This is more than a gift—it’s a visionary investment,” says Joy Getnick ’06, PhD, executive director of Hillel at Rochester. “It reflects the Kessler family’s deep commitment to Hillel as a welcoming, enriching community, and will help us sustain our mission and support Jewish students for generations.”

Getnick underscores the importance of this gift and its role in fostering authentic and supportive communities on college campuses. “Hillel is proud to be a home for all kinds of Jews and all kinds of Jewish, celebrating the diversity of Jewish life. A sense of belonging is essential to student well-being, and communities like Hillel contribute to that tremendously. We also proudly partner with others across the University to build understanding and dialogue. We are grateful for the Kesslers’ significant support and hope it inspires others to invest in what matters most to them.”

“Our hope is that our gift will help students carry their values forward and out into the world, long into the future,” adds Larry. “This is important to us, and we know it’s important to a lot of Jewish students and parents who want to be at a place that supports their ideals and contributes to the vitality and enrichment of the greater campus community.”

A family legacy

Dennis and Larry Kessler

Larry, who started his career as a Manhattan stockbroker, is the founder and co-owner of the Kessler Group Inc. & Kessler Family LLC. He and Dennis came to the Rochester area from New York City in 1975. Until 2014, they operated 21 Burger King and 48 Friendly’s restaurants and employed 3,000 people, with more than half of those employees in the Rochester area. In 2015, the brothers created Kessler Real Estate Company, after which they focused their business solely on real estate.

In recognition of the brothers’ longtime support of the University, the Kessler Burn & Trauma Center within Strong Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department was renamed for them in 2010. That same year, Larry joined the University’s Board of Trustees. He also serves on the Medical Center’s board and on the University’s Rochester Philanthropy Council.

Karen is the former president of Delta Environmental, an environmental group founded by her late father, Wayne Harris, Esq. Karen and her family gifted the group to Rochester Institute of Technology in 2021 as an endowed environmental education fund.

The Kesslers’ support spans the University, including the Medical Center, the School of Arts & Sciences, the Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, and Eastman School of Music, where they established the Kessler Family Scholarship in 2016 as part of the Wegman Family Scholarship Challenge. They also established the Kessler Forum performance and presentation space at the Barbara J. Burger iZone within the River Campus Libraries. Additionally, the Kesslers are members of the George Eastman Circle, the University’s annual leadership giving society, and the Wilson Society, which honors those who have made planned gifts at the University.

Larry has been honored with numerous University and community awards, served on the boards of such local not-for-profits as the Jewish Home Foundation and the Jewish Community Center of Rochester, and has been named a Junior Achievement Laureate, Rochester Business Hall of Fame inductee, and Philanthropist of the Year by the National Association of Fundraising Professionals.

“The Rochester community welcomed us decades ago and has been incredibly good to us ever since,” adds Larry. “It’s a privilege to give back to a community that means so much to us—especially to support the University, which plays such a vital role in people’s lives here, from healthcare and education to the arts and beyond. We’re grateful to make this gift, especially at a time when supporting this community—and Hillel’s role within it—holds such deep meaning for so many.”