Contributor Report: Leibman, Abby
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Abby J. Leibman is a prominent California-based attorney and non-profit executive who currently serves as the President and CEO of MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger. Her career is defined by leadership in organizations that integrate Jewish values with political advocacy, particularly concerning food security and social justice in both the United States and Israel.
Relationship to Israel and Zionist Advocacy
Leibman’s documented relationship to Israel is characterized by her leadership of MAZON and her long-standing involvement in established Jewish communal and advocacy organizations in Los Angeles.
- Executive Leadership at MAZON: Since 2011, Leibman has served as President and CEO of MAZON, a national advocacy organization that operates programs in both the U.S. and Israel. Under her tenure, MAZON has focused its Israeli efforts on systemic advocacy within the “Green Line” (Israel’s 1949 armistice borders), specifically targeting food insecurity among vulnerable populations such as Bedouins and asylum seekers. Leibman has stated that the organization’s work is “rooted in the idea that this is Israel proper.”
- Source: eJewishPhilanthropy: Jewish progressives seek non-Jewish partners (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation)
- Source: MAZON: Our Work in Israel (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation)
- Jewish Community Relations Commission (JCRC): Leibman served on the Executive Committee of the Jewish Community Relations Commission of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. The JCRC is a primary vehicle for Zionist advocacy, tasked with managing the Jewish community’s relationship with government officials and promoting support for Israel’s security and sovereignty.
- Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles: Leibman has a multi-decade history with the Jewish Federation, which she credits as the site of her “first significant contribution” to the Jewish community. She also directed the Federation’s New Leaders Project, a program designed to mentor emerging Jewish leaders in civic engagement and communal advocacy.
- Source: MAZON: Mensch Profile - Abby Leibman (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation)
- Source: Jewish Journal: Moving & Shaking (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation)
Political Activity and Donor History
Leibman is an active political donor and endorser, frequently supporting candidates who align with both progressive social causes and the mainstream pro-Israel community.
- Political Endorsements: In 2016, Leibman was a high-profile endorser of Janice Kamenir-Reznik for the California State Senate. Kamenir-Reznik, a former president of the California Women’s Law Center (which Leibman co-founded), was a prominent leader in the pro-Israel community and co-founder of Jewish World Watch. Leibman’s endorsement placed her alongside other pro-Israel figures like Senator Dianne Feinstein.
- Source: Jewish Journal: Jewish Dems face off in costly state senate contest (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation)
- Documented Contributions: Federal Election Commission (FEC) records show Leibman has made small-to-mid-tier contributions to Democratic candidates and entities, including Wendy Greuel for Congress. She describes herself as “powerfully engaged in the democratic process” and a supporter of “visionary political candidates.”
University of California Association
While Leibman is a distinguished alumna of the University of California, San Diego (Revelle ‘78), there is no public record confirming she served as the “Chair of the UC Regents.” Public records of UC Regents show that the first female chair was Sherry Lansing (2003–2012). Leibman’s documented involvement with the UC system includes:
- Student Advocacy: As an undergraduate, she served on the PRC Sub-committee on Budget Program Priorities at UCSD.
- Alumni Recognition: She was featured in a UCSD “Alumni Spotlight” for her professional achievements and has been a donor to UC Santa Barbara.
- Source: UCSD Alumni Spotlight: Abby Leibman (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation)
- Source: UC Santa Barbara Foundation Annual Report (listing Abby Leibman as donor) (Note: having trouble producing a specific citation)
Supported Candidates