Orit Lender serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Joan & Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Staten Island. With over two decades of experience in outreach, community building, and philanthropy, she has established herself as an effective leader.
Before joining the JCC, Lender was a Youth Coordinator at Seaman’s Society for Children and Families, facilitating youth groups across Staten Island. In 2009, she became Program Director and engaged with Staten Island’s senior population by developing and supervising all JCC senior centers, including the Innovative Senior Center. Her career progression saw her appointed as Assistant Executive Director in 2015 before being named Deputy Executive Director.
Lender completed the Duke University Executive Certificate in Non-Profit Leadership program. In 2020, she was selected as JCC’s CEO, becoming the first female to hold this position.
Her work is guided by the Jewish principle of tikkun olam or “repairing the world.” She fosters relationships between JCC and various religious leaders, government agencies, and community organizations.
She participates in numerous organizations such as UJA-Federation of NY, JCC Association, Staten Island Not for Profit Association (SINFPA), Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, Staten Island Economic Development Corporation (SIEDC) Business Council, Council of Jewish Organizations (COJO), and Wagner College Chai Society. These connections have enabled JCC to serve more people across different ages and backgrounds on Staten Island.
Lender is the daughter of Israeli parents and lived on Kibbutz Urim in Israel before moving to Staten Island during her childhood. She has been married to Ed for nearly 20 years; they met in Israel. The couple has two children who participate actively in JCC youth and sports programs.
