Robert Kasirer is the Manager of the Kasirer Family Office, a national real estate investment and management organization with holdings across 12 states. Over the course of his career, he has helped transform the family business from a Los Angeles-focused commercial real estate operation into a diversified enterprise with a broader geographic presence. His work has included real estate development, ownership, investment strategy, management, and long-term family business planning.
Today, Robert serves as Chairman while members of the next generation have assumed responsibility for many daily operations. His two sons and son-in-law are involved with the Kasirer Family Office and its subsidiaries, helping guide the organization forward while maintaining the values and long-term perspective established over several decades.
Extending Family Values Through Philanthropy
Beyond business, Robert serves as President of the Kasirer Family Foundation, also known as KFF. The foundation concentrates its charitable efforts primarily on education and Jewish causes, reflecting the family’s longstanding commitment to learning, community, and Jewish continuity.
Organizations that have received support include the University of Pennsylvania, New York University, Harvard Westlake School, Hillel at UCLA, Penn Hillel, Pressman Academy at Temple Beth Am, Camp Ramah of Ojai, Camp Ramah of the Berkshires, Birthright Israel, Chabad, and Chabad on Campus, along with numerous other institutions.
For Robert, philanthropy represents more than financial support. It continues a family tradition built around strengthening institutions, creating opportunities for younger generations, and helping Jewish communities remain connected to their heritage.
A Childhood Influenced by Holocaust Survival
Kasirer’s family history played an important role in shaping his identity. Both of his parents survived the Holocaust. His mother was imprisoned at Auschwitz, while his father was sent to a forced labor camp. Much of their family was killed at Auschwitz.
His parents originally came from Bistra, a village in the Carpathian Mountains that is now located in Ukraine. Robert’s father lost his own father when he was only 13 and trained as a shoemaker before working for his uncle to help support the family.
After liberation, Robert’s parents met and married. They later settled temporarily in Bregenz, Austria, while awaiting visas to immigrate to the United States. Robert and his younger sister were born there before the family eventually moved to Los Angeles. His youngest sister was later born in California.
Growing Up With a Commitment to Jewish Continuity
When Robert’s parents arrived in Los Angeles in 1954, they became actively involved in developing the city’s Jewish community. They helped establish Jewish educational institutions and synagogues at a time when Jewish schools, camps, and other community resources were more limited.
Among their efforts, they participated in founding a Jewish elementary school and a Jewish girls high school. They also supported Jewish organizations in New York and Israel.
Their experiences during the Holocaust strengthened their determination to preserve Jewish life. They believed future generations should remain connected to their history, faith, and community. Robert grew up with that sense of responsibility and carried it into his education, philanthropy, family life, and later initiatives.
At 13, he attended Torah Vodaath, a Jewish boarding school in New York. There, he combined secular academics with extensive Jewish studies and continued his Jewish learning while attending university.
Developing a Career in Law and Public Finance
Robert Kasirer attended New York University before continuing his education at St. John’s University School of Law. After passing the New York bar, he relocated to Los Angeles and began building his legal career.
He formed the law firm Kasirer, Wolfson and Frankel with two associates. The practice focused on public finance, and Robert participated in transactions involving hundreds of millions of dollars in financing throughout the United States while working as Bond Counsel and Underwriters Counsel.
He later became Of Counsel at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips. His background in law and finance provided valuable experience that would eventually support his move into commercial real estate and investment management.
Expanding a Real Estate Business Across Generations
In 1984, Robert joined his father in establishing a real estate company focused on developing, owning, and operating commercial properties. Shopping centers in Los Angeles formed an important part of the company’s early portfolio.
Following his father’s death in 2005, Robert continued managing and expanding the organization. Over time, the business developed into the broader Kasirer Family Office, with investments extending across multiple states and business entities.
The involvement of Robert’s sons and son-in-law has helped continue the multigenerational character of the organization. Their leadership of day-to-day operations allows Robert to remain involved at the Chairman level while providing perspective shaped by decades of legal, financial, real estate, and management experience.
Reimagining Jewish Engagement Through Neshamah
In 2022, Robert founded Neshamah Project Inc., a United States nonprofit, and Neshamah Project RA, an Israeli nonprofit. These organizations were created to develop the Neshamah Platform and Neshamah App.
Neshamah brings Jewish music, education, prayer, podcasts, videos, and interactive experiences into one digital environment. It is intended to serve both individual users and Jewish organizations while making Jewish content easier to discover and engage with.
Synagogues, schools, camps, campus organizations, community groups, and creators can use white-labeled spaces to share their own content alongside Neshamah’s larger global library.
Robert sees the project as a modern continuation of the values passed down by his parents. Just as previous generations built schools, synagogues, and community institutions, he believes today’s generation can use technology to strengthen connection, learning, identity, and belonging.
Family, Exploration, and Life Beyond Business
Robert Kasirer has been married to his wife for 48 years. Together, they have four children and thirteen grandchildren, including seven boys and six girls.
Outside of his professional and philanthropic work, Robert enjoys skiing, hiking, and traveling around the world. Visiting different countries allows him to experience new cultures, traditions, landscapes, and communities.
Across business, philanthropy, family, and the Neshamah initiative, Robert’s life reflects an ongoing connection between his family’s history and his efforts to support future generations. His work continues to center on education, community, Jewish identity, long-term stewardship, and the belief that strong traditions can remain meaningful while adapting to a changing world.
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