The Jewish Parents Forum (JPF) is Tikvah’s growing community of thousands of Jewish mothers and fathers who care about raising the generation of committed Jews, Zionists, and Americans. Tikvah created the JPF Prize in 2023 to honor JPF members who have taken on roles as civic leaders and mobilized their creativity, talent, and energy to advance Jewish exceptionalism, American patriotism, and the defense of Western civilization through education and ideas.

In so many ways—as philanthropists, as the parents of young children, and as Jewish educational entrepreneurs—Joe and Tayler Lonsdale embody the aspirations and ideals of Tikvah’s Jewish Parents Forum. With gratitude for their contributions, we are pleased to announce them as our 2025 JPF Prize recipients.

The Lonsdales understand that the war against the Jews is a war against the West, and that the only enduring answer is to create new institutions—especially schools—that cultivate and perpetuate Jewish and American excellence. This is exactly what the Lonsdales have done in launching both Hadar Jewish Classical Academy and the University of Austin (UATX).

Hadar is a vibrant new Jewish preschool and elementary school in Austin, TX, launched in partnership with Tikvah and fully committed to our unique Hebrew immersion program and classical curriculum. The school weaves together the timeless wisdom and values of Jerusalem, the intellectual legacy of Athens, and the bold, resilient spirit of Texas.

UATX was founded in 2021 to do what many legacy colleges won’t: demand rigor, reward merit, and unapologetically defend America’s founding principles. The university aspires to forge a new civic elite grounded in truth and virtue, prepared to serve the civilization that is their precious inheritance. It also aims to be a home where Jewish students of all backgrounds can flourish.

It is a privilege to award this year’s JPF Prize to Tayler and Joe Lonsdale, and we hope you will join us in honoring them on November 16.

Click on the pictures below to learn more about the Lonsdales’ incredible accomplishments as entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and leaders in advancing our shared vision of Jewish education.