Michael Schlank

Sid Jacobson JCC has announced that Michael Schlank has been appointed as its next Executive Director, effective November 3, 2025.

“It’s truly the honor of a lifetime to return to Long Island, the place where I was born and raised, to lead an organization as special as Sid Jacobson JCC,” Schlank said. “This community is already renowned for its embrace of joyous Judaism, its passionate love for Israel, and its enduring commitment to the broader community. SJJCC is a place where Jewish values are not just taught but lived, and shared with all who walk through our doors.”

A Long Island native, Schlank served as CEO of NJY Camps, the largest residential Jewish summer camp organization in North America. Arriving at NJY Camps in 2020, Schlank successfully guided that agency through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic while introducing nationally recognized innovations that gained widespread attention from The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Jerusalem Post, The Times of Israel, The Jewish Standard, and The Jewish Link.

Additionally, Schlank’s journey includes more than a decade in senior roles at Oasis Children’s Services, where he ascended to the title of Executive Vice President in 2013. In 2019, he was selected as an OnBoard Legacy Heritage Fellow at NYU Wagner School of Public Policy, further honing his skills as a nonprofit leader.

“It is with great pride we welcome Michael to our JCC family. With the full faith of our Board of Directors and staff, we are excited by the possibilities this new chapter offers us and our community,” said Nancy Waldbaum, Board President of Sid Jacobson JCC.

“I am thrilled to welcome Michael as the new Executive Director of Sid Jacobson JCC. His deep ties to Long Island, combined with his proven ability as a bridge builder, make him the ideal candidate,” expressed Stuart Tauber, Senior Vice President, UJA-Federation of New York. “He personally cherishes the Jewish values that guide our Center’s activities and will ensure they remain at the heart of everything we do.”

Over the years, Schlank has acted as a policy advisor, political aide, press advisor, and fundraiser at the local, national, and international levels.

Complementing his professional background, Schlank has held positions on the Security Committee, Board of Trustees, Executive Committee, and as President of his synagogue, along with the Board of Hofstra Hillel. He is a member of the AIPAC Long Island Council.

Schlank received his MS.Ed. from Long Island University and an Advanced Certificate in Educational Leadership from Stony Brook University, after completing his undergraduate studies at the University at Albany, and earning an MA from Hofstra University.

“We’re living through times of unprecedented change, both globally and within our own Jewish community. In this rapid flux, where the familiar can sometimes feel like it’s slipping away, SJJCC stands as a crucial point of stability and connection,” Schlank said.