RNS Morning Report - Jeffrey Epstein's ties to Les Wexner spur Jewish alums of foundation to launch survivor fund

Jewish alums of Wexner Foundation launch survivor fund The Wexner Foundation, established by Ohio retail billionaire Leslie Wexner, had long been highly regarded for its competitive fellowships that train midcareer Jewish leaders. But as the retired Victoria’s Secret executive’s past financial and personal connections to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein became increasingly public — the Epstein files name Wexner more than 1,000 times — some alums of the foundation’s programming no longer see their involvement in it in the same light. As RNS national reporter Yonat Shimron reports, earlier this month, a handful of Wexner program alumni launched a fund to help survivors of sexual violence and exploitation. Some also hope the foundation will take the moment of crisis as a chance to help survivors. Read more about the Wexner-Epstein connection and how Jewish leaders involved in the program are responding below. Top Stories Jeffrey Epstein’s ties to Les Wexner spur Jewish alums of foundation to launch survivor fund (RNS) — More than 100 alumni of Wexner Foundation fellowships and professional development programs have started a fund to aid survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation. Evangelical broadcasting group asks FCC to investigate ABC over Jimmy Kimmel joke (RNS) — TV host Jimmy Kimmel joked about the first lady having ‘a glow like an expectant widow,’ during a sketch about the White House Correspondents' Dinner that aired two days before the actual reception. Iran offers to reopen Strait of Hormuz if US lifts its blockade and the war ends, officials say CAIRO (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump seems unlikely to accept the offer, which was passed to the Americans by Pakistan and would leave unresolved the disagreements that led the U.S. and Israel to go to war on Feb. 28. Dallas pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts recovering, ‘almost paralyzed’ in accident (RNS) — ‘One disc up or one disc lower, and this would’ve been a different testimony,’ she said on social media. Opinion Pope Leo’s Africa visit raises the question: Is the continent really the church’s future? (RNS) — I hope I am wrong, but I think that the church in Africa will look very much like the church in the West by the end of this century. Homeschooling has a Christian nationalist past. But that doesn’t have to be its future. (RNS) — Why do some homeschoolers describe a move from no regulation to basic safety oversight as ‘unwarranted surveillance’? The answer is rooted in the history of homeschooling in this country. ICYMI The Christian DNA of suspected White House Correspondents’ dinner shooter (RNS) — President Donald Trump described the would-be assassin as anti-Christian. The evidence hints at a complex faith background. New imaging uncovers hidden text in ancient Christian manuscript (RNS) — The discovery offers insight into how early Christians read and understood Scripture — and provides a point of connection for contemporary Christians. Support Our Work As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. News tips or feedback? Email comments@religionnews.com. Like the Morning Report? Share it with a friend. Forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. We rely on reader donations to power our reporting. Donate here. Or send a check to: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205

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