Joseph Kushner

Joseph Kushner (born Joseph Berkowitz; October 10, 1922 – October 5, 1985) was a Polish-born American real estate investor and developer. Over the course of his career, he acquired ownership of more than 4,000 apartments, houses, and properties.

Kushner was born in Navahrudak, which was part of eastern Poland at the time of his birth. The town is now known as Nowogródek and is located in Belarus. His birth name was Joseph Berkowitz. In August 1945, he married Reichel "Rae" Kushner in Budapest. Rae Kushner also originated from Navahrudak. During the Holocaust, Rae Kushner is known for accompanying her brother and up to 360 other individuals to escape through a tunnel from the Navahrudak Ghetto. Upon marriage, Joseph adopted Rae's last name, becoming Joseph Kushner.

Following World War II, the town of Navahrudak was transferred from Poland to the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic as part of territorial adjustments agreed upon at the Potsdam Conference. Rae Kushner and Joseph Kushner emigrated to the United States in 1949 as part of the group known as Sh'erit ha-Pletah, which refers to Holocaust survivors. They settled in the United States, and Kushner pursued a career as a carpenter in New Jersey. His business operations were initially financed by the G.I. Bill and later benefited from federal programs such as the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956.

The Kushner family has been associated with various Jewish educational institutions. The Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy and the Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School, both located in Livingston, New Jersey, are named in honor of Joseph Kushner and his wife.

Joseph Kushner was the father of Esther Schulder, Murray Kushner, and Charles Kushner. His grandchildren include Jared Kushner, Joshua Kushner, and Marc Kushner. Jared Kushner is known for his roles in business and politics, notably serving as a senior advisor to President Donald Trump and as a White House adviser.

He passed away on October 5, 1985, just five days before his 63rd birthday.