Expertise Inspiring Success

Horrified by the murder of George Floyd, Joel sought to build deep relationships with leaders of the Black community in Columbus, OH. After years of meetings, listening and partnering with the Black community, the Equity Collective was born.

The Equity Collective is a philanthropic collaboration between the Black and Jewish communities of Columbus, led by Black philanthropists and allies working together to make strategic impact. Utilizing an intentional allocations process, resources are deployed to enhance the lives of the most vulnerable members of the Black community.

The Equity Collective is a natural partner for corporations that have embraced Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives.

Two weeks after war broke out between Russia and Ukraine, Joel was at the Poland-Ukraine border leading an effort to help welcome Ukrainian refugees to Poland. During his time at the border, the energy was both heartbreaking and hopeful as refugees shared their powerful stories of survival. Joel joined the Jewish Agency for Israel as they assisted families with supplies, lodging and in some cases, arrangements to move to Israel.

Inspired by their stories, Joel led a local fundraising effort in Columbus that secured $400,000 to support Ukrainian refugees.

Experience a Memorable Overnight Jewish Initiative (EMOJI) was designed to offer children between the ages of 7 to 16 a Jewish camping experience for just $250 for first-time campers, or at a very reduced cost for children who are returning to a Jewish camp.

Camp can cost upwards of $9000 per year and price many families out of this pivotal identity building experience, by making it $250, families can now see their children get all the benefits that camp provides.

Since its inception in 2017, the EMOJI program has sent over 200 children to camp who would otherwise not have attended.

Under Joel’s leadership the Toledo Federation launched the 'Ahava' program in 2016 to assist families raising children with special needs. The program expanded in 2018 to include adults with special needs. The goal of the program is to support, enhance, and positively impact the lives of individuals with special needs and their families. Through Ahava, Federation awards annual scholarships up to $1,500 per individual to fund therapies, equipment, and continuing education that insurance won't cover.

Families have testified that the program is 'like the entire community is giving them a hug.'

Courtesy of the AHAVA program's success in Toledo, Joel wanted to bring a similar concept to Columbus, to enhance life for those with differing abilities and their families.

After securing the necessary funding, he created a staff position to oversee an inclusive summer camp at the community's Jewish Community Center, to work with religious school aides to ensure an inclusive environment in the community's congregations, and to offer programs for families who have differently-abled children.

While serving as the Executive Director of the University of Georgia Hillel, on an end-of-the-semester walk with a student leader, Joel saw dumpsters filled with items needlessly being thrown away by those moving out of their dorms. Desiring to mitigate the waste, he inspired and empowered his student leaders to launch "Dawgs Ditch the Dumpster and Donate." The annual landfill diversion initiative allows for students to donate unwanted items rather than to throw them in the trash, and has since been adopted as a standard practice by the University's housing department.