Welcome to
American Friends of Leket Israel.
We help Leket Israel rescue surplus food to
distribute to people in need.
Leket Israel is the national food bank of Israel. It collects surplus food from over 1,000 sources—including farms, hotels, cafeterias, and army bases—and delivers it to over 300 non-profit partners, serving over 415,000 people every week. One quarter of Israelis— including Holocaust survivors, families, immigrants and vulnerable children—struggle to access nutritious food.
With your help, we hope to one day feed them all.
OUR FOUNDER—OUR HISTORY
Joseph Gitler, Founder of Leket Israel, immigrated from New York with his family in 2000 and discovered poverty in the State of Israel. He was surprised that so many people worked for a living but remained below the poverty line. In 2003, Joseph organized his friends and neighbors to establish Table to Table to rescue surplus food, prevent food waste, and help eliminate food insecurity. The organization expanded, rebranded as Leket Israel, and soon became Israel’s largest food distribution network. Today, Leket Israel organizes over 80,000 volunteers each year to rescue over 60 million pounds of fresh produce and over 2 million hot meals, providing nutritious food to over 415,000 people.
OUR FOUNDER—OUR HISTORY
Joseph Gitler, Founder of Leket Israel, immigrated from New York with his family in 2000 and discovered poverty in the State of Israel. He was surprised that so many people worked for a living but remained below the poverty line. In 2003, Joseph organized his friends and neighbors to establish Table to Table to rescue surplus food, prevent food waste, and help eliminate food insecurity. The organization expanded, rebranded as Leket Israel, and soon became Israel’s largest food distribution network. Today, Leket Israel organizes over 80,000 volunteers each year to rescue over 60 million pounds of fresh produce and over 2 million hot meals, providing nutritious food to over 415,000 people.
Introductory Video
– Mali Barzani | Head of the Parents’ Committee
– Dan Greenberg | Leket Volunteer
64.4M
POUNDS OF FRUITS & VEGETABLES ANNUALLY
415,000
RECIPIENTS WEEKLY
2,300,000
HOT MEALS ANNUALLY
95,000
VOLUNTEERS ANNUALLY
Ways to Give
You can donate to American Friends of Leket Israel in various ways
Corporate Matching Gifts and/or Workplace Giving
If your U.S. company offers corporate matching gifts and/or workplace giving, call (201) 331-0070 x2 or email elena@leket.us to learn how to maximize your donation.
Donate as a U.S. Federal Employee
American Friends of Leket Israel is a member of The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), listed as CFC #97797.
Donate Stocks, Mutual Funds and Wire Transfer
To donate stocks or mutual funds, or to send a wire transfer call (201) 331-0070 x2 or email elena@leket.us.
Planned Giving
Please contact our gift planning staff for assistance and additional information regarding language and sponsorship opportunities. Call (201) 331-0070 x3 or email carol@leket.us
Checks
Contributions in U.S. dollars should be made payable to American Friends of Leket Israel. Please mail the contribution to:
American Friends of Leket Israel
P.O. Box 2090
Teaneck, NJ 07666-1490
For questions, please contact:
donna@leket.us or (201) 331-0070 x4
For more information about joining The Harvest Circle,
please call (201) 331-0070 x3 or email carol@leket.us
EIN (Tax ID) American Friends of Leket Israel, Inc.: 20-8202424
Welcome to The Harvest Circle, the giving society of American Friends of Leket Israel.
Please join our community of over 400 households and foundations that give at these generous levels.
HARVEST CIRCLE ANNUAL GIVING LEVELS & BENEFITS
FARMERS: $5,000 annually
- Membership in The Harvest Circle
- Name on a poster in the Leket Israel Logistics Center (optional)
- Leadership briefings
- Invitation to donor appreciation events
- 5,000 meals served to hungry people in Israel
GLEANERS: $10,000 annually
- Membership in The Harvest Circle
- Name on a poster in the Leket Israel Logistics Center (optional)
- Leadership briefings
- Invitation to donor appreciation events
- Private meeting with a senior leader of Leket Israel
- 10,000 meals served to hungry people in Israel
PROVIDERS: $18,000 annually
- Membership in The Harvest Circle
- Name on a poster in the Leket Israel Logistics Center (optional)
- Leadership briefings
- Invitation to donor appreciation events
- Private meeting with a senior leader of Leket Israel
- 18,000 meals served to hungry people in Israel
SUSTAINERS: $36,000 annually
- Membership in The Harvest Circle
- Name on a poster in the Leket Israel Logistics Center (optional)
- Leadership briefings
- Invitation to donor appreciation events
- Private meeting with a senior leader of Leket Israel
- 36,000 meals served to hungry people in Israel
FOUNDER’S TABLE: $50,000 annually
- Membership in The Harvest Circle
- Name on a poster in the Leket Israel Logistics Center (optional)
- Leadership briefings
- Invitation to donor appreciation events
- Private meeting with a senior leader of Leket Israel
- Private meeting with Joseph Gitler, Leket Israel founder
- 50,000 meals served to hungry people in Israel
BIKKURIM: $1,800 annually
Young Adults ages 20–39
- Membership in The Harvest Circle
- Name on a poster in the Leket Israel Logistics Center (optional)
- Leadership briefings
- Invitation to donor appreciation events
- 1,800 meals served to hungry people in Israel
For more information about joining The Harvest Circle,
please call (201) 331-0070 x3 or email carol@leket.us
EIN (Tax ID) American Friends of Leket Israel, Inc.: 20-8202424
Celebrate Bar / Bat Mitzvah’s
Make tikkun olam part of your Bar or Bat Mitzvah experience in Israel by harvesting fruits and vegetables in the field or sorting and packing produce for delivery to Israelis in need.
Leket’s Bar and Bat Mitzvah volunteers receive:
- A special presentation about Leket Israel
- A personalized certificate in recognition of their service
- A Leket Israel Bar or Bat Mitzvah t-shirt
Volunteer with Leket Israel
Join our 80,000 annual volunteers in harvesting, sorting and packaging rescued food for Israelis in need.
What’s New
Special Initiatives Helping Farmers
Devastating damage to the agricultural sector, including the loss of laborers, has left the farming community in peril. Leket has mobilized over 50,000 volunteers since October 2023 to assist farmers urgently requiring manpower to maintain their operations....
Leket Mobilizes in Time of War
The ongoing war in Gaza and Lebanon has caused Leket Israel to adapt and greatly increase its efforts to match the need. The war has dramatically decreased the availability of surplus food for rescue (both fresh produce and surplus meals). At the same time, the...
Tzion Maman – A Legacy of Resilience
Amidst war, Nelly Tagar visits Asaf Shwartz, a farmer on the Lebanon Border
Thank You for Joining the Leket Israel Family
Meet Ilan Amar – Leket Israel Farmer Partner
About Us
Meet the people behind American Friends of Leket Israel
American Friends Board
Mr. Joseph Gitler
Founder of Leket Israel & Honorary Board Member
Mr. Shachar Minkove
Board Chairman
Mr. Anthony Arnold
Board Member
Mr. Mark Ettinger
Board Member
Rabbi Brenner Glickman
Board Member
Rabbi Brenner Glickman is the senior rabbi of a thriving Reform congregation in Sarasota, Florida. He is a longtime leader of his local food bank, and now is happy to invest his energies helping Leket grow. Rabbi Glickman hates food waste and loves feeding people.
Mrs. Simone (Sima) Gross
Board Member
Mr. Mike Rader
Board Member
Mrs. Mor Soued
Board Member
Mr. Josh Swidler
Board Member
Josh Swidler has been a professional investor for almost 15 years, having worked in New York and London, both of which he calls home (but his spiritual home has always been Israel). He’s been involved with Leket for over a decade, starting with his son’s Bar Mitzvah and his family visiting Israel to work the fields with Leket. The proud father of five children, he has sought to instill a strong sense of Jewishness and Jewish community in his children. He believes his involvement in Leket is a natural extension of this commitment.
Mr. Warren H. Cohn
Board Member
Warren H. Cohn is a seasoned public relations and communications strategist with over 15 years of experience in media, public affairs, and community engagement. As the CEO and founder of Rocketship PR, Warren has built a reputation for his expertise in crafting narratives that resonate with diverse audiences, particularly in the realms of politics, social justice, and community advocacy.
Professional Team
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Lauren grew up on a 65-acre farm in Monmouth County, NJ, established by her grandfather. Her family was actively involved in gleaning projects through local food banks for many years. She earned a BA from Michigan State University and a Master’s degree in Israeli Politics and Society from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Lauren’s background in farming and conviction that fresh, nutritious food can and should be made accessible to all led to her role as the Executive Director of American Friends of Leket Israel, a position she has served in since 2011. Lauren travels the country speaking about topics
related to food waste and poverty in Israel.
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Carol joined American Friends of Leket Israel in 2011. She was drawn to Leket Israel because of the organization’s commitment to supporting Israelis in need of all backgrounds, and its practical approach to addressing both nutritional insecurity and food waste.
Carol oversees The Harvest Circle (Leket Israel’s Giving Society), and planned giving. She loves speaking to people about all things Leket Israel, and educating people in the US about Israel, nutritional insecurity, and food waste.
Carol holds a BA from Binghamton University and earned an MBA at Rutgers University. She lives in Fair Lawn, New Jersey.
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Elèna has been a part of the American Friends of Leket Israel (AFOLI) team since August 2010. In her role as Development Coordinator & Community Outreach, Elèna engages with synagogue and school leaders, young professionals, volunteers, donors, and B’nai Mitzvah.
Elèna coordinates and oversees multiple holiday campaigns in the U.S., including AFOLI’s national synagogue campaigns for Purim and Passover, and Leket’s Purim cards. She is also heavily engaged in the organization’s financial management and bookkeeping.
Elèna frequently presents Leket’s work at schools in the NYC area.
An avid traveler, Elèna loves planning trips and chasing adventures around the world!
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What started out as a part-time position in December of 2018 quickly turned into a full-time role. With over 20 years of experience in bookkeeping, it was a smooth transition to American Friends of Leket Israel’s accounting department. Donna enjoys working with US supporters and volunteers guiding them through the giving process. In her previous role, Donna coordinated a fulfillment project which prepared her to take on one of her favorite fundraising projects, a large and well-known printed Purim card campaign shipping Purim cards across the US. Donna loves volunteering and is active in her synagogue in Fair Lawn, NJ where she raised her two sons and currently resides.
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Arlene joined the American Friends of Leket Israel part-time early in 2023, and transitioned to her current role as a Donor Engagement Officer later that year. She is dedicated to fostering meaningful relationships with donors, and contributes to a variety of projects, including event logistics and Purim e-cards.
Prior to the American Friends of Leket Israel, Arlene was employed in the private sector. She earned a B.S. from New York University and an M.S. from Iona College. She currently resides in Fair Lawn, NJ.
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Michael joined American Friends of Leket Israel in March of 2024 as a Development Associate, after working for Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity Headquarters as the Communications Associate. In the aftermath of October 7, Michael was inspired by Leket’s response, going above and beyond in its mission.
In his role, Michael primarily assists in engaging with and identifying donors. He also helps with communication efforts such as mailings, and the creation of the American Friends of Leket website.
Michael earned a BA in Communications with a minor in Judaic Studies from the University of Hartford. He lives in Teaneck, New Jersey.
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Gilad’s earliest memories are of picking carrots in the fields of his kibbutz in the Negev. He holds an M.A. in Public Policy from the University of Delaware and dual B.A. degrees from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
During his undergraduate studies, he spent his Junior year at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. And returned to Israel to serve in the Spokesperson’s Unit of the IDF.
Since 2012, Gilad has worked in the Jewish communal world, including five years as the Executive Director of Northeastern University Hillel. He joined Leket in September 2024. Based just outside of Boston, Gilad frequently travels across New England, sharing Leket’s mission and impact with local communities.
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Jennifer is the new Senior Development Officer for American Friends of Leket Israel’s Long Island and Greater New York-area. She earned a BA in Communications/PR from Yeshiva University. Her 20+ years of experience in development and PR enhanced her skills to help Jewish and Israel-focused organizations succeed. She worked at leading
institutions including American Friends of Bar-Ilan University, JEP/Nageela, and the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns & Rockaways. Jennifer lives in Cedarhurst, NY. Her heart and soul are in Israel with her kids. 😉
Jennifer is passionate about Israel and building its future WITH YOU through Leket’s extraordinary work.
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Michele joined American Friends of Leket Israel in June 2025 as the Regional Director of Advancement with a focus on South Florida after working for Jewish National Fund – USA in New York City for four years. Prior to her work in the not-for-profit space, Michele practiced law and remains a member of the Law Society of Ontario. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from McGill University. Michele is very passionate about improving the lives of all Israelis and feels very fortunate to be a part of Leket’s unique mission.
Key Partners in Israel
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Gidi has served as CEO of Leket Israel since 2009.
He played a vital role in establishing Leket Israel after the merger of Israel’s two leading non-profit food organizations “Table to Table” and “Leket Food Bank” to form one leading institution. Gidi is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of Leket Israel and for reporting to the board. During Gidi’s tenure, Leket Israel has grown to become the largest food rescue organization in Israel and was recognized as the Israeli representative of the Global FoodBanking Network (GFN).
Prior to serving as Leket Israel’s CEO, Gidi served in senior management positions for logistics and high-tech companies in the United States.
He is a graduate of Ben Gurion University in Beer Sheva with a degree in industrial engineering and also holds an MBA.
Gidi is married to Naomi and has three children.
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