Purpose Beyond Proximity: A New Vision for Jewish Philanthropy

After more than two decades in philanthropy and development, I have come to believe that the most powerful driver of giving is not proximity – it is purpose. My career has been split almost evenly between two worlds that, at first glance, might seem distinct: the Jewish communal sector and international development. In reality, they have always been deeply intertwined.

I have had the privilege of working and volunteering with extraordinary organizations – from Americares to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee to American Jewish World Service to Hebrew Union College–Jewish Institute of Religion. Each experience deepened my understanding of the responsibility we share to improve lives, reduce inequality, and expand opportunity. Whether in a Jewish or non-Jewish context, my guiding principles have remained constant: to further humanity, to address poverty and injustice, and to act in service of something larger than ourselves.

In my current role as Chief Development Officer of the American Technion Society, I see those same principles brought to life in the Technion – one of the most dynamic institutions in the world. The Technion stands at the intersection of innovation and impact, advancing breakthroughs that benefit not only Israel and the Jewish people, but communities across the globe.

This is why a central question must continually be asked: How do we translate Israel’s global impact in ways that inspire Jewish philanthropy worldwide?