Encinitas, CA / December 9, 2013 – The Leichtag Foundation is happy to announce the appointment of Dr. Jeffrey R. Solomon, President of the Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies, to its board of directors. Dr. Solomon also sits on numerous nonprofit and foundation boards including the FJC, a community foundation in New York; the Jewish Funders Network; Jewish Week; and the New Israel Fund.
“We are delighted to welcome Jeff to the Board of the Leichtag Foundation,” said Leichtag Foundation President and CEO Jim Farley. “He brings tremendous wisdom and experience in all aspects of philanthropy from both a national and global perspective.”
Solomon currently serves as the President of the Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies, a group of foundations operating in Canada, Israel, and the United States. Among the foundations’ innovative programs incubated and launched are Birthright Israel and Reboot, two initiatives aimed at connecting young, Jews to to each other and to Israel;The Gift of New York, a powerful response to September 11, helping to heal families of victims through the power of culture; and Project Involvement, an educational reform program serving some 265,000 Israeli elementary school students.
Solomon previously served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of UJA-Federation of New York. An author of over 100 publications in both professional journals and outlets such as The Financial Times and Wall Street Journal, he served as an adjunct associate professor at New York University.
Solomon is the author of two books. The Art of Giving: Where the Soul Meets a Business Plan, co-authored with Charles Bronfman, won the Axiom Gold Medal in philanthropy. Their sequel The Art of Doing Good: Where Passion Meets Action, explores the principles and practices of nonprofit social enterprise, extracting the lessons from the journeys of eighteen social entrepreneurs.
“I am enthusiastic about joining the board of the Leichtag Foundation and helping to lead their efforts to catalyze change and stimulate and inspire community in North San Diego, Jerusalem and beyond,” stated Solomon.