Jay Feinberg was diagnosed with leukemia in 1991 and told that his only hope of a cure was a bone marrow transplant.
With his family and friends in tow, Jay embarked on a groundbreaking international search for a matching donor. After organizing 250 drives and testing 60,000 potential donors, Jay’s match turned out to be the very last donor tested at the very last drive. He received his transplant at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington in July 1995 thanks to his bone marrow donor, Becky Faibisoff.
A 20-year transplant survivor, Jay is Gift of Life’s founder and Chief Executive Officer. Under his leadership, Gift of Life and has facilitated over 3,000 bone marrow transplants for patients in need.
Jay has brought tremendous innovation to Gift of Life, including the use of cheek swabs for bloodless testing at donor drives, complete typing at initial recruitment, and most recently, Speed Swabbing® technology. He is responsible for establishing groundbreaking relationships with organizations such as Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, Taglit Birthright Israel, KEDMA, AEPi and more. He has also been responsible for negotiating partnerships with other registries, most notably the National Marrow Donor Program. His vision and subject-matter expertise guide the strategic direction of the organization in conjunction with the Board of Directors.
Jay formerly served on the Board of Directors of the World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA) in the capacity of Secretary of North and South America. For years, he volunteered his time as an inspector for the WMDA’s Accreditation Committee.
Jay received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He has received numerous awards, including the prestigious Charles Bronfman Prize. Other notable honors include the National Marrow Donor Program’s Allison Atlas Award and Hadassah International’s Citizen of the World Award. Jay is the recipient of an honorary doctorate degree (Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa) from Yeshiva University in New York. Most recently, Jay received the Jewish Community Hero Award from the Jewish Federations of North America, a leadership award honoring those making strides to repair the world, starting in their own communities. In 2013, Jay was recognized in the Algemeiner Jewish 100 List—the top 100 individuals who have positively influenced and lifted the quality of Jewish life over the past year.
Also in 2013, Jay was the recipient of the Maurice N. Eisendrath Bearer of Light Award from the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). This award is the highest honor bestowed by the Reform Movement. Every two years at the URJ’s Biennial, the Award is conferred for service to the world community and Reform Jewry. “It is people like Jay Feinberg who truly make our world a better place,” said URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs. Rabbi Jacobs continued “Jay’s tireless work has saved countless lives, and his actions follow in the footsteps of Reform social justice pioneers, such as Rabbi Eisendrath. The Talmud teaches that whoever saves a life, it is as if he has saved the entire world. Jay’s work so truly embodies this teaching, and for that, we are abundantly grateful.”
On Sunday, May 15, Jay Feinberg will receive the Community Leadership Award at Areyvut’s Annual Breakfast at Congregation Bnai Yeshurun in Teaneck, NJ and be acknowledged for his service.
Areyvut helps Bnai Mitzvah celebrants personalize Mitzvah Projects to enhance their celebration, runs teen philanthropy programs, coordinates a national Mitzvah Day and publishes an A Kindness a Day Calendar.
“I am honored to receive Areyvut’s Community Leadership Award,” said Jay. “Gift of Life was founded with the same core values of chesed and tikkun olam that Areyvut instills in the lives of Jewish youth. It has been an honor to work with Daniel Rothner, Areyvut founder and Director, on service learning projects and witness the impact our organizations have in making the world a better place.”
Areyvut has had a longtime partnership with Gift of Life. The Areyvut Mitzvah Clowns participate in the annual Gift of Life’s Walk for Life in NJ. Areyvut staff has facilitated donor drives for Gift of Life, several of which have resulted in matches. Gift of Life has attended Bnai Mitzvah Fairs that Areyvut has run and has been the recipient of several Mitzvah Projects.
“I initially met Jay in 1995 and he has been a model and inspiration to me,” said Rothner. “I look forward to the breakfast and to recognizing Jay and Gift of Life’s impact. So many people have friends, relatives or know of people whose lives have been saved by Jay and Gift of Life. We have a responsibility to show our gratitude. He is literally a life saver who has transformed the community.”
Lillian Pravda, founder and Chief Executive Officer (Chief Eyesight Optimist), Vision for and From Children, will be honored with the Young Leadership Award.
For more information, visit www.areyvut.org, e-mail [email protected] or call 201-244-6702.
