JNF Northeast Zone Director
Travels from New Jersey
Availability: Contact JNF Speakers Bureau for availability.
Topics:
JNF's Work in Israel, Positively Israel
Joel L. Leibowitz has more than three decades of Jewish philanthropy experience and currently serves as Northeast Zone Director for Jewish National Fund, serving New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. An attorney, Joel has a strong background in solicitation and a long history in Jewish communal affairs, both as a lay leader and as a professional.
A dynamic speaker, Joel has conducted solicitor training seminars in more than 120 communities in the United States, as well as in Australia, Eastern Europe, Russia and Israel. He has developed training seminars and videos, conducted solicitation training seminars for the professional staffs of Jewish Federations, Jewish National Fund, The Union of American Hebrew Congregations, the World Zionist Organization, and the National Ramah Commission. Joel is especially talented at incorporating campaign concepts into special events, doing face-to-face solicitation and motivating staff and volunteers. Joel has lead more than 30 missions to Israel.
In 1989, Joel was appointed by the Governor to the New Jersey-Israel Commission. In the Jewish communal world, he served as a member of: the Regional Advisory Board to the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai Brith; Congregation Beth El of S. Orange, NJ; the Executive Committee North American Jewish Forum; and on the Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation of MetroWest. Past Jewish non-profit experience also include Vice President of the Solomon Schechter Day School of Essex and Union (1984-1986), member U.J.A. National Young Leadership Cabinet (1977-1981), member of the Board of the YM-YWHA of Metropolitan New Jersey (1976-1986) and member of the Board of Governors of the Daughters of Israel Geriatric Center (1980-1982).
Joel’s people skills and management background have increased JNF’s fundraising in his zone by 300 percent in the past five years as well as developed committed boards in his zone.
He has a law degree from Seton Hall University, School of Law and is admitted to the bar in New York and New Jersey. He earned a BS in accounting from American University.
Download a prepared introduction for Joel L. Leibowitz
Makor (Hebrew for “source”) is a specially-trained cadre of highly-involved Jewish National Fund volunteers. Our primary role is to support the core functions of JNF by direct fundraising. Thus, we identify prospective donors, conduct direct solicitations in our own communities and around the United States and assist in educating the public about the JNF and its projects.
Makor also serves as a source for lay leadership. We are leaders in our own communities, and provide training and inspiration for other community leaders on solicitation techniques, board development and outreach and on the work of the JNF. Makor members also assume JNF leadership positions on a national level.
We are proud leaders who are committed to the mission of the JNF, the caretaker of the land of Israel forever. In addition, Makor is a source of innovation within the JNF. Our diverse backgrounds, coupled with our common commitment, foster a free-flow of ideas to keep JNF as relevant and productive as possible.
Makor members travel to Israel each year to study JNF projects and programs in depth, and bring their insights and experiences to you. Members speak at no charge.
