JOEL MARCOVITCH, Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo

Joel Marcovitch is CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo, a diverse agency with a staff of 35 that manages a Jewish preschool, young professional group, food bank, senior care center, a Hillel at UT and BGSU, and Jewish art, film, food, and book festivals. Since arriving in Toledo, Marcovitch has reorganized and made the federation financially stable, and also increased community participation.

Marcovitch was selected from a field of 400 professionals to be named Jewish Federation of North America’s Federation Hero of the Year in 2011. He was asked to speak on a panel at the EPIC Summit in 2014 about gaining and retaining talent in the region. In 2015, he was asked to sit on Mayor Paula Hick-Hudson’s transition team for the City of Toledo.

He has advised the Promise House Project, as well as the Daughter Project, and serves as a resource to them. He also serves on the Partners Empowering Community Service (PECS) board to help bridge the relationship between the residents of east Toledo and the authorities to combat drug, crime, and gang-related incidences. Marcovitch said he is inspired by the Jewish teachings to bring social justice to the world.