Libby Lenkinski is a highly influential strategist and activist within the progressive American Jewish community. As an American Jew with dual citizenship, her upbringing in Jewish day schools and youth movements instilled in her a profound sense of social responsibility, driving her to bridge the gap between Jewish heritage and global justice. She currently serves as the Vice President for Public Engagement at the New Israel Fund (NIF), where she plays a pivotal role in connecting philanthropy, political mobilization, and social change.
In terms of professional achievements, Lenkinski is renowned for her exceptional contributions to “narrative change” and cultural advocacy. She founded the non-profit Albi (meaning “my heart” in Arabic) to use culture as a vehicle for social transformation and served as a producer for the critically acclaimed documentary Israelism, which explores the identity crisis among young American Jews confronting the realities of the occupation. Furthermore, she is well-known for providing what she calls “Israel Therapy”—a nuanced, empathetic approach to helping the Jewish community navigate their complex feelings about the region and turn confusion into meaningful social action.
Driven by a steadfast belief in the value of equality, Lenkinski is a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights and an end to the occupation. She not only leverages her role at NIF to fund and support grassroots organizations defending Palestinian human rights and challenging settlement expansion, but has also personally participated in non-violent protests in West Bank villages like Bil’in and Nabi Saleh. For Lenkinski, supporting Palestine is not just a moral imperative for the marginalized; it is the cornerstone of her vision for a “shared society“—a future where every person living on the land, regardless of ethnicity or faith, enjoys equal democratic rights, dignity, and security.
She is also one of the initiators of the 2025 petition, “Global Jewish Call on the UN and World Leaders to Sanction Israel.”