Rachel Schnoll, Chief Executive Officer

Rachel Schnoll, JCF's CEO

Rachel Schnoll is the CEO of the Jewish Communal Fund (JCF). In this role, she oversees the largest Jewish donor advised fund in the country and helps to facilitate philanthropy for 8,000 fundholders. JCF boasts a 50-year track record of strong governance, prudent management, and making charitable giving simple and efficient for its fundholders. Since JCF was founded in 1972, its fundholders have granted more than $5 billion to charity.

Rachel joined the JCF in June 2022 after more than 20 years at Goldman Sachs, where she served as Managing Director and Head of FinLife Partners at Goldman Sachs Personal Financial Management. She brings to JCF more than two decades of experience in asset and wealth management. At Goldman Sachs, Rachel led and grew a digital client experience platform for financial advisors. She also headed the Product Strategy group of Goldman Sachs Asset Management where she led teams focused on communicating, launching, and governing mutual funds, ETFs and other financial products.

Throughout her career, Rachel’s focus has been on helping individuals achieve financial clarity, confidence and control. Her roles in wealth and asset management organizations have delivered investment strategies and digital solutions to help people achieve their financial goals and live rich, fulfilling lives. She is honored to continue this effort in the philanthropic world.

Rachel is a graduate of Brandeis University and earned an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School. She is deeply committed to her Jewish heritage, and is an active lay leader in the Jewish community. She serves as a trustee of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) Eisner Crane Lake Camp and as a trustee of the Brooklyn Heights Synagogue.

Rachel lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband and three children.

Marina Lewin, Senior Vice President & COO

headshot of Marina Lewin, JCF's Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Marina joined Jewish Communal Fund as Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer in September, 2022. Previously, she served as the Chief Operating Officer at Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) since December, 2016, following a high-profile career in banking. During her tenure at FJC, Marina led the creation of a strategic plan that evolved through the COVID crisis, and the organization grew to an annual budget of $17 million with 37 full time staff.

Marina served as the Global Head of New Business Development for BNY Mellon, where she successfully managed large teams in complex and competitive environments. She was consistently recognized and promoted for her ability to profitably grow businesses, develop strong client relationships, and develop, coach, and mentor talent within the organization. She was selected as one of The Hedge Fund Journal’s 50 Leading Women in Hedge Funds in 2013.

Marina serves on the Boards of the Marlene Myerson JCC Manhattan and Hazon. She believes deeply in the importance of Jewish continuity and philanthropy. Marina received her BA degree from Barnard College/Columbia University and MBA from New York University. She lives in NYC with her husband, Andrew, and they have two grown sons.

Ellen Smith Israelson, VP of Philanthropic Services & CMO

Photo of Ellen Israelson, JCF's VP of Philanthropic Services

In this capacity she oversees the development of the integrated marketing plan, communications, collateral and advertising. In addition, she develops and oversees implementation of client services and technology, educational resources and stewardship programs, including JCF’s private client services, philanthropic resources for multi-generational families and legacy and succession planning.  Ellen launched JCF’s Center for Next Generation Philanthropy, an initiative that provides tools, including JCF’s acclaimed Teen Philanthropy Guidebook, and programs to help Jewish teens and young professionals increase their engagement in charitable giving.  She is JCF’s liaison to advisors, organizes CLE seminars with JCF’s partners. Ellen serves on the board of the NY Philanthropy Advisors, and is a member of the Planned Giving Group of NY. Prior to joining JCF, Ellen served as the Executive Director of the Long Island Chapter of American Jewish Committee, and as the Director of Corporate & Foundation Giving at Hofstra University.  She received her MA in Art History and Museum Administration, and a Certificate in Foundations and Grant Making from New York University.

Melanie Marchfeld, Vice President, Grants Administration

Staff

Delise Brathwaite, IT Operations Analyst

Ashley Clemente, Chief Technology Officer

Wanda Gutierrez, Contributions Coordinator/Office Manager

Matthew Hagen, Finance Associate

Rachel Infeld, Director, Grants Administration 

Michelle Kim, Grants Processing Associate

Michelle Lebowits, VP, Philanthropic Services

Jaehee Lee, Grants Processing Associate

Igor Musayev, VP, Investment Services

Claudia Pinto, Assistant Director, Grants Processing

Rachel Redlich, Director, Accounting

Hannah Rosen, Assistant Director, Grants Processing

Alyssa Tischler, Development Associate

Leigh Wasserman, Director, Marketing & Communications