40 Under 40: Jacob Shmukler

One of the youngest members of the Jewish National Fund’s board, Jacob Shmukler is also the VP of GTM Operations at QGenda, an Atlanta-based healthcare technology company.

Having helped rapidly scale startups in his field, he was also scouted for the board of Jewish Kids Group, mostly as operational and strategic advice for expanding the program nationally. But it’s a cause he comes by naturally.

“I have a strong, genuine belief that one of the mandates of my generation is to figure out how to rebuild Jewish education, Jewish engagement, in the younger generation, as, in my view, a lot of the older models have not worked very well.”

Shmukler took note of the innovation of an aftercare program for kids who can’t afford or can’t attend Hebrew school.

“That was even before my own daughter who is five and half now started earlier this year, and she absolutely loves it. She is sad when she leaves and she is learning more Hebrew than I know in her first couple months.”

Born to parents who moved here in the ’80s from former Soviet Union (now Ukraine), Shmukler explained his unique perspective.

“I was raised in a household that spoke a lot about two elements of my identity – one is a deep kind of pride and connection to what it means to be Jewish […] I never hesitate to put that sort of pride and belief on display. The other part is just the pride of being an American. The reason I can fulfill that first part is that I live in a country that allows me to.”

“At a time when many feel scared or ashamed of being Jewish, I remind everyone I can that above it all we have to remember one thing: it is awesome and a privilege to be a Jew.”

Shmukler also noted that he is blessed to be married to Becca Shmukler, and to be raising a family of two girls, one boy, and a 2021 AJT Pets Issue-featured dog, Leonar.