The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) announced today that Ofer Glanz has been appointed Director of its Former Soviet Union Department. With more than 20 years of private sector and NGO experience in global markets including Russia, Ukraine, India, Israel, and China, Glanz brings to JDC the ability to address today’s challenges in the former Soviet Union with expertise in creating and directing multiple local and regional operations throughout those regions. His past experience also includes creating community-building programs, strategic operational planning, and Jewish leadership training.
“We are proud to welcome Ofer Glanz to the JDC family and are confident that his professional background and commitment to Jewish life will help us advance our life-saving work in the former Soviet Union,” said Darrell Friedman, JDC’s Interim CEO. “With Ofer and our team, we will continue to provide critical aid to some of the world’s poorest Jews and ensure a powerful connection to Jewish life in the region.”
Glanz previously served as the executive director of Israeli NGO Metzilah; Vice President at Comverse, a global telecommunications firm; and founder and CEO of the Barak software company. He also served with distinction as the lay Head of the Modi’in Municipality’s Education Committee, leading the strategic planning process for the city’s education system.
“I am honored to become part of the JDC team, understanding full well the responsibility and impact that this wonderful organization has on Jewish lives across the former Soviet Union. Having seen this work first-hand, and growing up knowing the name of ‘the Joint,’ I am looking forward to furthering JDC’s mission in a region with pressing challenges and extraordinary opportunities,” said Glanz.
Over the next few months, Glanz will work closely with JDC’s departing FSU Director, Asher Ostrin, who served in the post for 21 years and is transitioning to a new senior role at JDC.
