Meet our CEO, Orit Lender!
On Friday, March 13th, the Board of Directors of the Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island announced that they had selected Orit Lender to be the next CEO of the agency.
Orit Lender has a breadth of knowledge of the agency, where she currently serves as Deputy Executive Director. She began her JCC career in 2001 as a youth worker and has filled numerous positions during her tenure in multiple departments, working with participants of all ages and overseeing various programs. Prior to her time at the JCC, she worked at Seaman’s Society for Children and Families as a group youth worker.
Ms. Lender completed the Duke University Executive Leadership for Non Profit Program in October 2018. An involved member of Staten Island’s Jewish community, Ms. Lender is a board member of the Chai Society at Wagner College and a member of the Staten Island Council of Jewish Organizations. In addition, she is involved on various local committees and coalitions including the SI Borough President’s Task Force on Aging, TYSA (Tackling Youth Substance Abuse), and Childhood Obesity. Ms. Lender is also a member of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce Business Guild and SIEDC’s Executive Women’s Council.
The daughter of two Israeli parents, she lived in Israel on Kibbutz Urim before moving to Staten Island as a child. She has been married to her husband Ed, who she met in Israel, for nearly 20 years. The Lenders have two children, David and Ethan, who are active in JCC youth and sports programs.
“I am excited and eager to take on the challenge of this new leadership role, which gives me another opportunity to positively impact the Staten Island community.” Ms. Lender noted. “The JCC has been a home to me and my family for nearly two decades. I truly love this agency and its programs, which serve so many in our community.”
“Orit’s many accomplishments, vision, and long tenure at the JCC made her the clear choice to lead our agency into the future. I look forward to working closely with her in the years ahead,” said Solomon Chemo, JCC Board President.
Ms. Lender will have the distinction of being the agency’s first female CEO. She will follow outgoing CEO David Sorkin, whom she has worked closely with over the past 15 years.
Donate a tribute card in honor of Orit here!
Orit Lender has a breadth of knowledge of the agency, where she currently serves as Deputy Executive Director. She began her JCC career in 2001 as a youth worker and has filled numerous positions during her tenure in multiple departments, working with participants of all ages and overseeing various programs. Prior to her time at the JCC, she worked at Seaman’s Society for Children and Families as a group youth worker.
Ms. Lender completed the Duke University Executive Leadership for Non Profit Program in October 2018. An involved member of Staten Island’s Jewish community, Ms. Lender is a board member of the Chai Society at Wagner College and a member of the Staten Island Council of Jewish Organizations. In addition, she is involved on various local committees and coalitions including the SI Borough President’s Task Force on Aging, TYSA (Tackling Youth Substance Abuse), and Childhood Obesity. Ms. Lender is also a member of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce Business Guild and SIEDC’s Executive Women’s Council.
The daughter of two Israeli parents, she lived in Israel on Kibbutz Urim before moving to Staten Island as a child. She has been married to her husband Ed, who she met in Israel, for nearly 20 years. The Lenders have two children, David and Ethan, who are active in JCC youth and sports programs.
“I am excited and eager to take on the challenge of this new leadership role, which gives me another opportunity to positively impact the Staten Island community.” Ms. Lender noted. “The JCC has been a home to me and my family for nearly two decades. I truly love this agency and its programs, which serve so many in our community.”
“Orit’s many accomplishments, vision, and long tenure at the JCC made her the clear choice to lead our agency into the future. I look forward to working closely with her in the years ahead,” said Solomon Chemo, JCC Board President.
Ms. Lender will have the distinction of being the agency’s first female CEO. She will follow outgoing CEO David Sorkin, whom she has worked closely with over the past 15 years.
Donate a tribute card in honor of Orit here!