Joanna Samuels fights for immigrant rights at the Jewish community center that she founded. After her ordination by the Jewish Theological Seminary, where she was a Wexner Graduate Fellow, Samuels served as rabbi at Congregation Habonim in New York City. She also worked at Advancing Women Professionals, and her commitment to women Jewish leaders through this organization led to her being honored by the Drisha Institute. She is the first female rabbi to receive this honor. Samuels is currently the founding executive director of the Manny Cantor Center.