Jerry Greenfield was born in 1951 in Brooklyn, New York, to a Jewish family and has been Ben Cohen’s best friend since junior high. In contrast to Ben’s more radical style, Jerry is known for his steady, gentle determination. To Jerry, a business is incomplete if it does not contribute to its community and to global justice.
As co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, Jerry played a central role in the technical development and cultural foundation of the brand. Together with Ben, he conceptualized numerous politically-themed flavors that turned the brand into a totem of progressive culture. Beyond business, Jerry is an author and frequent speaker at universities, promoting the “values-driven business model.” He has received numerous awards from civil rights organizations, including the NAACP, for his contributions to promoting equality.
On the issue of Palestine, Jerry stood in total solidarity with Ben during the clash with Unilever. When Unilever attempted to force sales back into the settlements, Jerry and Ben co-authored an op-ed in The New York Times defending the Board’s decision. They wrote: “As Jewish founders of this ice cream company, we believe this decision is not anti-Semitic; rather, it is a manifestation of the Jewish moral values we were raised with.” Jerry has participated in petitions for a ceasefire in Gaza and supports the Artists4Ceasefire movement. At a public forum in 2025, he reiterated: “We cannot promote ‘Peace and Love’ while turning a blind eye to the systemic oppression happening on the other side.“
2025
In early 2025, as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continued to escalate, the Ben & Jerry’s Independent Board of Directors planned to launch a limited-edition flavor titled “Ceasefire Crunch” (or alternatively, “Justice for Palestine“). The packaging was designed to feature explicit calls for an immediate ceasefire, and 100% of the profits were earmarked for humanitarian aid in Gaza and non-profits focused on Palestinian civil rights protection.
The parent company, Unilever, reacted with significant alarm, fearing that such a provocative move would trigger a massive pro-Israel boycott and jeopardize its financial performance across global markets. Unilever leadership attempted to exercise a veto to block the flavor’s release. This move infuriated Ben and Jerry. Although they no longer held operational control, as the brand’s spiritual leaders, they immediately rallied behind the Independent Board.
Ben Cohen criticized Unilever bluntly in a televised interview, stating: “This is not a business decision; it is a decision of moral cowardice.” Jerry Greenfield echoed this sentiment in an op-ed for The Guardian, writing: “Unilever promised to respect our social mission when they acquired us, but now they are attempting to muffle the voice of justice. As Jews, we know that silence is complicity.” Greenfield then resigned, and Cohen sold the ice cream under his own independent ice cream brand, “Ben’s Best”.