New York, NY, March 25, 2019 – American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) CEO David M. Schizer announced today his plans to return to Columbia Law School in 2020. After a three-year leave from the University, he returns to keep his tenured seat on the law faculty. Schizer’s service at JDC has been marked by significant achievements including increased fundraising, the reorganization of JDC’s former Soviet Union (FSU) operations, and a new planning process for JDC’s programs. He will continue to serve as CEO until the end of 2019. Details on JDC’s search process and its CEO search committee, currently in formation, will follow shortly.
“While we are sad to see David go, we’re incredibly proud of all he has achieved in a short period of time to advance our ability to save Jewish lives and build Jewish life for future generations. The formula for his remarkable success – combining a business-style approach with his boundless devotion to our mission – was crucial to our ability to solve tough humanitarian challenges, lift lives, and increase supporters and audiences for our vital work,’ said JDC President Stan Rabin. “We look forward to building on the remarkable momentum he has ushered in and his continued involvement with JDC thereafter.”
Under Schizer’s leadership, JDC increased its fundraising from individuals and foundations by 45% over two years; maintained life-saving care to tens of thousands of needy elderly Jews in the FSU while modernizing its social welfare center operations and developing new care models; and created a new zero-based budgeting process to guide global program planning. In this time, JDC also launched a capital campaign to upgrade its flagship Lauder-JDC International Jewish Summer Camp at Szarvas; developed a growth plan for JDC Entwine to further catalyze Jewish responsibility among young Jews; dedicated Israel’s largest social innovation hub to target new solutions to social challenges; and initiated a program to share Israeli ag-tech with African farmers.
‘I love JDC’s mission,” said Schizer. “Every year, we touch the lives of hundreds of thousands of needy people and empower Jewish communities around the world. It is a privilege to be a part of this work, and I look forward to accomplishing more as CEO until the end of 2019, working closely with our talented professionals, dedicated board, and staunch organizational partners.”
Schizer was previously the youngest dean in the history of Columbia Law School with a highly esteemed record of accomplishment. A leader in corporate and Jewish spaces, he currently serves on the Board of Directors of Seacor Holdings, Feil Properties, the 92nd Street Y, Yale Hillel, and the Ramaz School. An accomplished legal scholar and frequent contributor to media, Schizer regularly writes on Jewish issues, Israel, the role of NGOs in civil society, nonprofit governance, and tax law.
