Michael Wagner Discusses Faith-Based Investing with The New York Times

While the intersection of faith and money can be complicated, experienced investors are now discovering new and easier ways to invest by the tenets of their faith without sacrificing returns or taking on any more risk.

To learn more about faith-based investing and the impacts religion can have on portfolio management, The New York Times recently spoke with Omnia Family Wealth Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer Michael Wagner, an active member of Jewish nonprofit organizations in the Miami area with more than a decade of wealth management experience.

According to Wagner, one specific way the Jewish community influenced his investing approach is that it motivates him to find investments that are committed to the Jewish values of making the world a better place.

One example Wagner gives of this type of investment is a new technology venture capital fund created by J-Ventures called J-Impact. Unlike most other venture capital funds, Wagner explains that J-Ventures uses a method they refer to as a “capitalist kibbutz,” which calls upon the Hebrew word for communal settlement and refers to fund’s communal style of decision making that grants each limited partner more of a voice in the investment decisions.

“Being involved with the Jewish Federation has brought me great personal joy and satisfaction,” adds Wagner. “I’m bringing that part of my personal life into portfolio management and feeling that we’re doing good in the world. Is it a uniquely Jewish view? I’m not sure it is. It’s a uniquely human thing.”

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