JLens is hosting the second Jewish Impact Investing Summit virtually on May 18 & 19, 2020 from 12-3pm EST both days. Join stewards of Jewish communal capital to learn how to engage more deeply in impact investing. The first Jewish Impact Investing Summit was a resounding success thanks to 15 partners, 43 speakers, and 300 attendees representing 82 Jewish organizations. The first Summit focused on the many reasons “why” the Jewish community should engage in impact investing. This second Summit will transition from the “why” to the “how” of impact investing, uniquely framed for the Jewish community.
2-2:50pm: Grants vs. Loans: Jewish Organizations Explore Impact Investments
Coronavirus has radically changed the needs of Jewish organizations. While the Jewish community has thought extensively about our philanthropic giving to mission organizations, there remains tremendous potential for our endowment and investment capital to further this work. This session will explore several innovative efforts to leverage investment capital to support Jewish mission organizations.
Robyn Polansky Morrison: working at the intersection of money and meaning has been a career- long pursuit for Robyn Polansky Morrison, founder and lead principal of Morr Strategy LLC. Morr is an independent and impartial specialist providing advice and solutions execution on a range of matters from wealth management strategy and financial advisor evaluation, investment due diligence and financial literacy, to impact investing and philanthropy. Morrison has over 20 years of pertinent experience collaborating with individuals, families, foundations and institutions. As a passionate advocate of mission-driven causes, Morrison is engaged in numerous philanthropic activities and serves on several non-profit boards and committees, now serving as CoHead of Impact Investing at UJA Federation of New York.
Alexandra Roth-Kahn is the Managing Director of the Caring Department at UJA-Federation of New York. In this capacity, Alex advances the organization’s commitment to ensure that those struggling with life’s challenges are supported by the Jewish community. Alex develops new models of care to respond to these challenges and stimulates innovation in the field. Alex graduated from Brandies University with a BA in Sociology and Judaic Studies. She participated in a year-long fellowship at the Drisha Institute for Jewish Education, in Manhattan, and received her MSW from Columbia University. Alex was a fellow in the Muehlstein Institute for Jewish Professional Leadership at Columbia University, and currently sits on the board of Westchester Day School.
Sam Marks is CEO of FJC – A Foundation of Philanthropic Funds, a boutique public charity that offers a diverse menu of philanthropic services to a range of stakeholders, including donor advised funds and fiscal sponsorships. Sam comes to FJC from his role as executive director of the New York City office of Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC NYC) which supports local champions to advance equitable development of historically underinvested neighborhoods. Before joining LISC NYC he was Vice President at the Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation, and director of housing development at WHEDCo. Earlier in his career he founded Breakthrough New York, a youth development program.
Rabbi David Rosenn is the Executive Director of the Hebrew Free Loan Society, where he oversees a wide range of interest-free loan programs designed to increase financial stability and economic opportunity for lower-income New Yorkers of all backgrounds. Before joining HFLS, Rabbi Rosenn served as Executive Vice President of The New Israel Fund, the largest funder of social change nonprofits in Israel. Previously, he was Founder and Executive Director of AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps, a year-long full-time anti-poverty program with sites in New York, Chicago, New Orleans and Washington, D.C. Rabbi Rosenn graduated from Harvard University. He was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary of America (JTS) in 1997.