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Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in JLens’ story: we are thrilled to inform you that JLens has been acquired by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL)!

For the past 10 years, JLens has been the only organization advocating for Jewish values, and combating antisemitism and anti-Israel bias in the values-based investing field, estimated to comprise $53 trillion, or 1/3 of all investment assets globally by 2025. Over this period, it became clear to us that JLens would need increased backing in order to be truly impactful in this arena that convenes trillions in investment capital and influences the behavior of powerful companies.

Now, with access to the resources, influence and reputation that come from being part of the ADL family, JLens will be able to expand its capacity and impact. This partnership will strengthen JLens' ability to advocate on behalf of Jewish communal concerns and expand ADL’s participation in the ESG movement and efforts to fight anti-Israel and antisemitic policies in this field.

JLens will continue to function as a standalone organization, powered by ADL. Please stay tuned for other exciting developments over the coming months as we embark on this journey.

Thank you for your continued support and we hope you share in our excitement!

The JLens Team

ADL brings JLens, the leading Jewish impact investing organization, under its umbrella

“ESG is the latest frontier in the fight against antisemitism, with radical Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) activists trying to push their agenda,” said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “As underscored by the many companies that recently cut ties with Kanye West after his antisemitic tirades, corporate advocacy is an important tool for improving society. It’s time for the Jewish community to take a seat at the table to use our power as institutional investors to ensure corporations are aligned with our values, and don’t fall for antisemitic pressures – that’s why we are incorporating JLens, the leading Jewish organization on these issues.”

“I’m so proud of the successes JLens has had bringing Jewish values into the investment arena over the past decade,” said Julie Hammerman, JLens CEO and Founder. “ADL’s strategic approach to advocacy and coalition building aligns with JLens’ approach. ADL’s expertise and convening power will propel JLens’ work forward to advance Jewish leadership in impact investing, and elevate Jewish communal concerns through investor advocacy.”

Read full press release

Questions & Answers

Why is JLens being acquired?
Acquisitions are often necessary to propel an initiative to the next level of growth and impact. The best strategic move for JLens was to explore an acquisition by a larger organization to increase the resources, capacity, and platform to build the next phase of JLens.

Why ADL?
JLens has worked collaboratively with ADL for many years. ADL sponsored JLens’ 2017 Jewish Impact Investing Summit where ADL’s CEO Jonathan Greenblatt shared with attendees that “JLens needed to happen because our Jewish values need to inform not just how we see the world but how we show up in the world and what we get done while we are here.” JLens' mission aligns well with ADL’s mission: to stop the defamation of the Jewish people, and to secure justice and fair treatment to all. Unfortunately, antisemitism and anti-Israel bias has seeped into the ESG, or values-based investing field. ADL’s leadership in combating antisemitism is needed now more than ever in the ESG field as it becomes more mainstream and influential.

What does the acquisition mean for JLens' mission?
JLens’ mission - to explore a Jewish lens on investing and to serve as a bridge between the Jewish community and the values-based investing field - remains unchanged.

How does the acquisition affect the investors in JLens' Jewish Advocacy Strategy?
JLens’ Jewish Advocacy Strategy will continue to be offered as a separately managed account investment option at two subadvisors - RhumbLine and Parametric. With the recent launch of JLens’ Jewish Values Global Index (ticker SHALOM), the JLens team is exploring ways to offer the index to investors, both institutional and retail.

How does the acquisition affect JLens’ donors?
For now, JLens will remain a 501c3 nonprofit organization under the ADL umbrella. Donors will be able to donate directly to JLens, or make a designated gift to JLens through ADL. All donations received previously by JLens will be allocated solely to JLens operations.

Will the JLens team remain at JLens?
Yes. The current JLens team will remain, while we also expand. As part of this, we will be looking for an executive director. Once we find the right person, Julie Hammerman will continue in a strategic role and will assist with the integration of JLens into the larger umbrella of ADL, the expansion of JLens leadership, and the exploration of impact investing at ADL.

Is there new contact information for the JLens team?
The @jlensnetwork.org emails are still operational and will be forwarded if email addresses change in the future.

Are there press contacts to discuss the acquisition?
Yes, for JLens contact press@jlensnetwork.org, and for ADL contact adlmedia@adl.org

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JLens' mission is to increase Jewish leadership and representation in the influential responsible investing and business movements. This email is for educational purposes and should not be viewed as investment advice.