Joy Malka Rothenberg is an international lawyer admitted to the Bar in both the United States and Israel. She is a professional mediator of the Abraham Accords, fostering international cooperation through innovative diplomatic, humanitarian and business initiatives.
Born, raised and educated in the United States, Joy now resides in Israel. Since the signing of the Abraham Accords, she has been actively promoting respect, tolerance and business relationships with Israel’s new peace partners. Joy was awarded Advisor of the Year 2020 by Sheikh Juma Bin Maktoum Juma Al Maktoum of Dubai for her role as Global Ambassador of the Abrahamic Business Circle. She was further honored by His Excellency Ahmed Obaid AlMansoori for inaugurating the only Holocaust exhibit located in an Arab and Muslim country — opened in Dubai in 2021.
Joy lectures internationally to business, academic and professional audiences on the dynamic developments and impact of the Abraham Accords. Her speaking engagements have included the UAE, Bahrain, Switzerland, England, Malta and the United States.
In March 2022, Joy was a royal guest of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain. Following this warm visit, she has continued to deepen diplomatic and business relationships between Israel, Bahrain and the United States — collaborating closely with Her Excellency Nancy Khadouri, Member of the Bahrain National Assembly and His Excellency Khaled Yousif Al Jalahma, the first Bahraini Ambassador to Israel.
In March 2023, Joy was the royal guest of President Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of Sudan, where she worked to promote humanitarian and business collaborations between Israel and Sudan — an effort aimed at advancing the signing of a peace treaty between the two nations.
In 2021, Joy received the distinguished honor of Dame from the Parte Guelfa of Florence, Italy — becoming the first Jewish woman to receive this designation in the 800-year-old Florentine archconfraternity. She was recognized for her leadership in global peace initiatives between Israel and neighboring Muslim countries. Joy also serves as Honorary President of Civitas Dei, a multicultural institution committed to advancing understanding of Jerusalem through innovative research that explores the city’s shared historical, archaeological and cultural heritage across Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Based in Florence, Civitas Dei also maintains branches in Dubai and Jerusalem. Joy collaborates closely with the International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem and the Moroccan Center for Tolerance to promote international cooperation and normalization.
Joy was a strategist and signatory of the Jordan River Water Covenant, uniting Jewish, Christian and Muslim governmental leaders from the United States, Jordan, Egypt and Israel in a commitment to rehabilitate the lower Jordan River for the benefit of all. This initiative led to subsequent joint agreements between the governments of Israel and Jordan.
Earlier in her career, Joy worked at the United Nations and collaborated with renowned international human rights attorney and former Canadian Minister of Justice, Irwin Cotler, to address human rights violations and crimes against humanity involving Holocaust victims and other victims of terror. She also contributed to efforts to denaturalize and deport Nazi war criminals from the United States and drafted lawsuits in Holocaust restitution litigation targeting German corporations for their involvement in Nazi-era crimes, including crimes against humanity, dormant bank accounts and forced slave labor.
Joy has been recognized for her impact on Holocaust survivors and received the Ohio Humanitarian Award from U.S. Governor Robert Taft for her dedication to helping survivors obtain fair compensation and live with greater dignity.
In 1990, Joy founded Bet Tzedek of Boston, an organization of volunteer lawyers and law firms providing pro bono legal representation to individuals living below the federal poverty line in the Greater Boston area, including Holocaust survivors. She received the Bloomberg Award from Michael Bloomberg for her leadership as a social entrepreneur in establishing and developing Bet Tzedek of Boston.
Joy has a proven track record of strategic intelligence operations with governments, interfaith communities and businesses. Joy applies her unique skillset and experiences to a wide range of matters that all emanate from a biblical directive of Tikun Olam, or making the world a better place. She is passionate about expanding the Abraham Accords and increasing normalization and business relations with governmental, business and educational institutions that seek greater peace and global connectivity.
