Jay Marcus is an American philanthropist and nonprofit executive, son of Arthur and Hadassah Marcus, the founders of the Central Fund of Israel (CFI). He serves as the current Executive Director of CFI, overseeing daily operations, donation distribution, and all funding allocations from the organization's headquarters in New York. Following his parents' legacy, Marcus has been instrumental in CFI's growth into one of the largest funders of settlement-related activities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, distributing hundreds of millions of dollars to over 200 Israeli charities involved in education, healthcare, and community development in Jewish settlements. This focus has drawn significant controversy, with CFI accused by critics of supporting activities that expand Israeli settlements in occupied territories. Investigations have scrutinized CFI's funding practices, though Marcus and CFI maintain all allocations comply with legal standards. His work reflects a strong ideological commitment to pro-Israel advocacy, positioning him within networks of American Jewish donors influencing U.S. policy toward Israel.