Interfaith Alliance president Rabbi Jack Moline issued the following statement:
It is my pleasure to inform you that at its recent board meeting, Interfaith Alliance elected Jacob Worenklein as its new chair. Jay, as he is known by those around him, has been a member of our board for over a decade and brings with him not only a deep commitment to our work protecting religious freedom, but the leadership experience to help guide our work into the future. In accepting this position, Jay told me the following:
“I joined Interfaith Alliance because I believe in the critical work it is doing to protect religious freedom and other constitutional rights for all Americans. I am honored to assume the leadership of our board at a time when the threats we face have never been more real. I could not be more proud of our efforts combating anti-Muslim and other bigotry, while standing up to an administration determined to carry out a massive assult on the core values of our country.”
In addition to serving as chair of our board, Jay is chairman and CEO of US Grid Company, and chairman of Ravenswood Power Holdings. Jay has a BA from Columbia College , an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business and a JD from NYU School of Law. He has served as a trustee and member of the Committee for Economic Development’s (CED) Executive Committee, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a trustee of the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of NY. He has also taught Business and ethics at Princeton and Yale.
Jay succeeds Helio Fred Garcia, who has served as Interfaith Alliance’s board chair for the last three years. Fred skillfully guided this organization through the retirement of my friend and predecessor Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, and the beginning of my tenure as president of Interfaith Alliance. I am extremely thankful for his service and grateful that he will continue his service on our board.
Jay and I will be working closely together in the year ahead to continue expanding the capacity of Interfaith Alliance. Every day I am reminded of the critical nature of our work. And I know we are able to make an impact because of people like Jay, Fred and you.
Interfaith Alliance is a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the country working together to build a resilient democracy and fulfill America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights not just for some, but for all. We mobilize powerful coalitions to challenge Christian nationalism and religious extremism, while fostering a better understanding of the healthy boundaries between religion and government. We advocate at all levels of government for an equitable and just America where the freedoms of belief and religious practice are protected, and where all persons are treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive. For more information visit interfaithalliance.org.