Jay’s areas of responsibility range from security to public policy, inter-group relations, to marketing, fundraising, and oversight of JUF’s Israel office.

A trusted adviser to many leading philanthropists, Jay serves on the boards of several family foundations and has led over 30 trips to Israel with leaders from every level of government.

When asked about what inspires his work at JUF, Jay shared, “The international breadth and the depth — profoundly enriching so many lives—makes working at JUF meaningful. Layer that with partnering with the world’s best colleagues, volunteers and donors, and you have a recipe for a rewarding 30-year career.”

An ROTC scholarship cadet at Georgetown University, he received his bachelor’s in Soviet studies from American University and a master’s from the University of Chicago. He is a Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow and a graduate of the national Mandel Executive Development Program.

In between his schooling, Jay served four years in the U.S. Army. A captain and graduate of the 5th Group Special Forces (Green Beret) Paratrooper Course, Jay was a platoon leader in a NATO Air Defense Unit based in the former West Germany.