Executive Brief

Director of Advancement & Engagement, NJ
American Jewish Committee

Overview - American Jewish Committee

Who They Are:

American Jewish Committee (AJC) is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. AJC works to shape a brighter future by taking on the toughest challenges and pursuing the most transformative opportunities. Through their unparalleled global network that spans six continents, AJC engages with leaders at the highest levels of government and civil society to counter antisemitism, open new doors for Israel, and advance democratic values.

Global Presence:

AJC has 25 U.S. Regional Offices; 14 overseas posts and regional institutes that serve as their advocacy hubs in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East; and 38 partnerships with Jewish communities worldwide.

Access:

AJC maintains high-level relationships with government officials and civic leaders in the U.S. and over 110 other nations.

Reach:

AJC engages more than 3.5 million advocates in multiple languages—including Arabic, French, German, and Spanish—across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

In a world with resurging antisemitism, demonization of Israel, and attacks on our democratic values, it is no surprise that the American Jewish Committee’s latest State of Antisemitism in America report revealed that over 80% of American Jews believe U.S.-based antisemitism is on the rise and 41% say they feel less secure than they did a year ago. 

AJC believes the future is something that can be molded; it gets shaped and transformed through strong relationships and principled advocacy. AJC understands that without meaningful relationships, change cannot happen. That is why, for more than a century, AJC has worked to build the world’s largest global advocacy network for the Jewish people. It’s this unparalleled network that enables the community, as Jews, to move out into the world as effective agents of positive change.

How AJC Is Making An Impact - Examples:
  • In 2022, AJC launched its Call to Action, our nation’s most comprehensive set of guidelines for combating antisemitism in the U.S. The Call to Action helps leaders in every sector of society—from government to law enforcement to business understand how to address and prevent anti-Jewish hate.
     
  • AJC is working with policymakers at all levels of government, in the U.S. and around the world, to develop and implement strategies to counter antisemitism and protect vulnerable Jewish communities. In 2023, this work includes close collaboration with the White House on a national action plan for fighting antisemitism.
     
  • AJC’s outreach to the corporate world is helping major companies tackle antisemitism in the workplace and beyond. One example: following the much publicized incident involving a large group of visibly identifiable Jews who were denied boarding privileges on a Lufthansa flight, AJC worked with the German airline to provide their employees with the necessary tools for identifying and responding to antisemitism so that such an event never happens again.
     
  • AJC partners with social media companies to improve their policies for identifying and removing hate speech from their platforms.
     
  • AJC’s innovative Leaders for Tomorrow (LFT) program equips Jewish high school students from across the country with the knowledge they need to be proud Jewish and pro-Israel advocates today and into the future when they arrive on college campuses. To date, AJC has educated close to 2,000 high school students.
     
  • With the largest social media following of any organization in the Jewish world, AJC harnesses the power of social media to increase awareness of Jew-hatred and counter misinformation and lies. When rapper Kanye West used his media influence to spew antisemitism, AJC used theirs to fight back. They shared videos and content that explained the danger of West’s rhetoric, elevated celebrity voices who stood with the Jewish community, and got their message out on major news networks. In just two weeks, AJC was cited in over 82,000 related news reports and their messages appeared on over a million social media feeds.

What AJC Does:

Global Diplomacy:

 

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AJC engages in strategic, long-term diplomacy with government officials in the U.S. and around the world. Each year, AJC meets with senior officials from more than 110 nations.

Political Advocacy:

 

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Staunchly nonpartisan, AJC works to impact policy in the United States at the local, state, and federal levels. AJC places special emphasis on robust, principled U.S. global leadership as a critical component of their advocacy work.

Coalition-Building:

 

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AJC builds alliances with other faith and ethnic communities to advance issues of mutual concern. Fundamental to their mission is the belief that the well-being of the Jewish community is linked to that of other faith and ethnic groups in the U.S. and abroad.

Strategic Communications:

 

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AJC leverages its vast global media presence—which includes the largest social media following of any Jewish organization—as an essential part of their advocacy arsenal. AJC uses social media, together with op-eds, expert analysis, and their weekly podcast to help educate the public and shape opinion.

About the Organization - American Jewish Committee, New Jersey

About AJC, New Jersey

AJC New Jersey connects their community with American Jewish Committee’s global advocacy work to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel. AJC New Jersey's access to diplomats, elected officials, and interfaith leaders at the local level advances AJC’s broader global priorities: combating antisemitism, promoting Israel’s place in the world, and countering the spread of radicalism and extremism.

AJC New Jersey's impact extends well beyond New Jersey, helping AJC achieve tangible results in the form of government policies, powerful alliances, and hard-hitting legislation that make our world safer and more secure.

AJC New Jersey engages in advocacy with local, state, and national legislators and with diplomatic leaders in support of AJC's core initiatives. In addition to participating in AJC’s national diplomatic outreach, they build one-on-one relationships with key countries’ UN ambassadors and consuls general stationed in New York.

AJC New Jersey's innovative programming — their parlor meetings and exclusive donor events — bring AJC’s global mission to life at the local level.

Current New Jersey Legislative Priorities:
  • Support legislation which adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s Working Definition of Antisemitism as the official definition of antisemitism in New Jersey
     
  • Support the creation of a statewide taskforce for combating antisemitism
     
  • Support legislation to better track hate crimes by reporting them to the Federal Bureau of Investigations
     
  • Support NJ-Israel Commission’s promotion of business, educational, cultural, and economic exchange with Israel
     
  • Encourage promotion of AJC New Jersey’s Tackle! training for combating hate-based targeted violence and domestic terrorism through a community health model

Leadership Spotlight:

Rabbi David Levy - Regional Director, AJC New Jersey


Rabbi David Levy
Regional Director, AJC New Jersey


Rabbi David Levy is Regional Director of AJC New Jersey. Prior to joining AJC, he served as rabbi of Temple Shalom of Succasunna, N.J., Congregation Kol Haverim of Glastonbury, C.T., Congregation B’nai El of St. Louis, M.O., and associate rabbi of Congregation B’nai Jeshurun of Short Hills, N.J.

In 2013, Levy was a featured speaker at the kickoff press conference for New Jersey United for Marriage Equality, and soon after, represented the organization as the Jewish clergy representative at Newark City Hall when Mayor Cory Booker performed New Jersey’s first same-sex marriages. He was a founding board member of Missourians for Freedom and Justice, and chair of the National Jewish Coalition for Literacy.

A graduate of Brandeis University, Levy holds a B.A. in psychology and elementary education. He received rabbinic ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, where he was awarded an M.A.H.L. and D. Div. Levy has also earned a certificate in Fundraising for Small Nonprofits from Indiana University-Purdue University School of Fundraising and received an honorable discharge with the rank of lieutenant from the United States Naval Reserve Chaplain’s Corps.

A selection of articles by Rabbi Levy can be found at https://www.ajc.org/articles/david-levy

About the Opportunity - Director of Advancement & Engagement, NJ

The Opportunity:

The Director of Advancement & Engagement will lead AJC New Jersey’s philanthropy program, partnering with regional staff and lay leadership to achieve fundraising goals of close to $2M annually - primarily from individuals. Philanthropic activities include annual campaign, events, planned giving, donor engagement initiatives, and the cultivation and solicitation of foundations and individual major donors. The successful candidate will join an AJC office that is on a steep growth trajectory with solid constituencies in Essex and Mercer counties and a focus on growth in Bergen, Hudson, Middlesex, and Monmouth counties. AJC New Jersey’s staff is a collaborative, entrepreneurial and highly motivated team that is invested in excellence and committed to building AJC’s presence in New Jersey.

The ideal candidate will be a relationship driven, team player with a strong commitment to AJC’s mission and priorities. The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills and also be an experienced, goal-oriented development professional with a proven track record of fundraising success with experience in donor cultivation, major gift solicitation and stewardship, and have meaningful ties to the New Jersey philanthropic community. In addition, the successful candidate will enthusiastically collaborate in the general programming, outreach, and engagement work of AJC New Jersey.

The Director of Advancement & Engagement does all of this while adhering to AJC’s core values: Respect, Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence, and Accountability.

Primary Fundraising Responsibilities:
  • Manage annual campaign raising an aggregate of over $1.7M; recruit solicitors, assign solicitations and provide solicitation training; track campaign gifts and provide ongoing updates to solicitors; organize special donor events.
     
  • Conduct solicitations at the board and major donor level in coordination with the Regional Director.
     
  • Market planned giving materials to local members and coordinate follow up with national AJC planned giving office; identify and enroll planned giving prospects.
     
  • Manage the cultivation and solicitation of foundation and major gifts, including related events and all aspects of donor management and cultivation.
     
  • Manage development related events, including event strategy, design and mailing of invitations, coordination of event logistics, management of vendor relations, organize and lead solicitation process, and other necessary activities.
     
  • Enhance and expand the Regions donor recognition program.
     
  • Work closely with AJC New Jersey’s lay leaders, and as the primary staff person for the Advancement Committee
     
  • Oversee management of gift entry and donor information into national and local database
     
  • Partner with team on communications to ensure effective marketing to donor community.
     
  • Coordinate with program staff to ensure donors are engaged and aware of AJC’s impact, and that their programs assist with solicitation and upgrade of prospects and donors.
     
  • Work collaboratively with AJC’s National Development Department
Secondary Responsibilities:
  • Assist in the planning and execution of general AJC New Jersey programs and activities.
     
  • Participate in AJC New Jersey’s nominations and leadership cultivation efforts.
     
  • Perform other tasks as needed to support overall office effectiveness.
     
  • Participate in the development of annual strategic plan.
Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree required.
     
  • 5-plus years fundraising experience that includes major donor solicitation and management, staff supervision, and organization of complex campaigns
     
  • Flexible, creative, and strategic thinker able to develop new ways to engage potential and existing donors and to create new giving opportunities and programs.
     
  • Passion for AJC’s mission (including combating antisemitism at home and abroad, securing Israel’s place in the world, and fighting terrorism).
     
  • Experienced in developing board members and increasing their level of participation in the fundraising process.
     
  • Pride and professionalism in work accomplishments.
     
  • Strong organizational, project-management and time management skills, ability to manage data and develop, implement, and oversee a yearly campaign.
     
  • Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
     
  • Ability to solve problems creatively and practically, to multi-task and work on multiple projects simultaneously, to work effectively under pressure, and to follow through on agreed upon initiatives.
     
  • A self-starter, willing to take initiative, with an entrepreneurial mindset, who can work independently or collaboratively with professional and lay leadership.
     
  • Availability for early morning, evening, and weekend meetings.
     
  • Proficiency in Raiser's Edge (or is a proven quick learner) and Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
Benefits:

Comprehensive benefits package includes:

  • Medical, vision, and dental plans
     
  • Flexible Spending Account options
     
  • Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) - 15 vacation days per year, that increases with continued employment
     
  • Paid Holidays (many Federal and major Jewish Holidays)
     
  • Hybrid work schedule
     
  • 403(b) participation, after one year of employment

Applications & Nominations

Don’t check off all the boxes or meet every single requirement? We have learned that potential candidates hesitate when applying for a job unless they meet every single requirement. Boyden Boston is dedicated to inclusivity and valuing diversity and equity in the workplace. If this opportunity excites you, but your background may not be a perfect match, we still encourage you to apply.

Contact Information:

To explore this opportunity further, please send your resume in confidence to:

Wendy Wilsker
Managing Partner, Boston
wwilsker@boyden.com
LinkedIn

Wendy Wilsker has dedicated her entire career to the non-profit sector, serving in leadership roles within charitable organizations and working alongside them as an executive recruiter and consultant. She excels at identifying the unique challenges and opportunities non-profits face, and partners with senior leadership to build successful organizational structures, teams and advancement programs.

Tamar Copeland
Executive Search Consultant, United States
tcopeland@boyden.com

Tamar Copeland has more than 20 years of expertise in nonprofit resource development, strategic planning, and organizational management for diverse causes including social and economic justice, International Development, arts and culture, women and girls and academia. Tamar provides consulting services to nonprofit organizations around the world and has served on the executive staff of the The Tenement Museum, The Union for Reform Judaism and the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village.

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