Dr. Michael Kay became CEO of UJA-Federation of New York in October 2026. A nationally respected Jewish communal leader, educator, and strategist, he has spent more than two decades strengthening Jewish institutions, cultivating leaders, and building vibrant Jewish community.

Before joining UJA, Michael served for 13 years as head of school at The Leffell School, a K–12 Jewish independent school in Westchester County, New York. Earlier in his career, he was upper school principal and director of Judaic studies at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, Maryland, and director of Camp Givah, a Jewish summer camp in upstate New York.

A highly regarded teacher of Jewish text and Jewish history for both youth and adults, Michael has served as a frequent speaker, consultant, and scholar-in-residence for conferences, foundations, synagogues, and communal organizations.

Michael graduated from Harvard College and earned a Ph.D. in educational leadership and Jewish studies from New York University. He and his wife, Rachel, live in White Plains, with their two children. They are active members of Temple Israel Center of White Plains.