Nonprofit Leadership Amid Global Turmoil with Rabbi Joanna Samuels

What does it take to step into leadership during a time of profound cultural, social, and institutional change? Rabbi Joanna Samuels joins Nonprofit Nation to share how she’s navigating this challenge as the CEO of the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan—one of the largest and most influential Jewish community centers in the U.S.

A longtime advocate for gender equity and social justice, Rabbi Samuels brings a unique lens to leadership, storytelling, and community-building. She discusses how nonprofit leaders can rethink engagement, lift up historically excluded voices, and lead with courage in post-pandemic times. Drawing from her recent viral essay in eJewish Philanthropy, she also unpacks “the vibe shift” in Jewish communal life and what it means for fundraisers, marketers, and mission-driven professionals everywhere.

Key Topics:

• What it means to lead a legacy nonprofit in a post-pandemic world
• Why “the vibe shift” matters—and how to respond as a sector
• Building inclusive narratives and championing diverse leadership
• How to fundraise and communicate during cultural change
• Real-world leadership advice for managing complexity and transition

About Joanna Samuels:

Rabbi Joanna Samuels became CEO of the MMJCCM in 2022. Previously, she served as founding ED of the Manny Cantor Center and has held numerous roles at the intersection of advocacy, faith, and equity. Her writing has appeared in major publications and she’s recognized nationally as a leading voice on gender justice in the Jewish nonprofit sector.

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