Ellen Braunstein
Attorney Mark Blaskey brings a breadth of understanding to Jewish organizations that are meeting the moment by addressing the community’s vulnerability and the resiliency of Israel since Oct. 7.
In June, Blaskey, 75, became the president of the American Jewish Committee Philadelphia/Southern New Jersey.
“I’ve been active in Jewish organizations all my life, and there’s never been a more critical time for Jews to step up,” said Blaskey, who lives in Philadelphia’s Fairmount neighborhood. “The basic work is continuing, but the emphasis and the critical nature has changed.”
Blaskey has served on the AJC board for more than seven years. The organization stands up for Israel’s right to exist in peace and security, confronts antisemitism and upholds the democratic values that unite Jews and their allies.
“The AJC encompasses a lot of what I’ve worked for all my life, which was the betterment of the Jewish people, fighting antisemitism and supporting Israel. It came together for me seeing what AJC does in our community, nationally and globally,” he said.
Also a certified public accountant, Blaskey’s career background offers Jewish organizations expertise in financial and legal matters.
“I use my legal training as a problem solver,” he said.
Blaskey is a past treasurer of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. Over 25 years, he volunteered in several capacities on the federation’s board.
“I thought the organization encompassed everything that the Jewish community was involved in,” he said.
He took the Israel 50 mission to the Jewish state in 1998.
He also served as president of Beth Sholom Congregation, a Conservative congregation in Elkins Park that he and his family have attended for 30 years.
Blaskey grew up in a Conservative household and considers himself a Conservative Jew.
“We were a typical Jewish household of the ‘50s and ‘60s when I was growing up,” he said. “We celebrated the holidays but were not particularly observant.”
His father worked in various retail businesses. His mother was a homemaker and helped her husband in his business ventures. Blaskey has one sister, who worked as a social services supervisor in state government.
Blaskey met his wife of 54 years, Penni, as a teen at BBYO.
“We were both active at the regional level,” he said. “We came together to plan various activities.”
Penni Blaskey is a retired psychologist.
Blaskey attended Temple University for both his business undergraduate degree and law school.
He recalled as a young college student the shock of the Six-Day War in 1967.
“It impacted me, the fear that Israel was being attacked and would cease to exist,” Blaskey said. “I’ve always been a strong supporter and very concerned about the welfare of Israel.”
Oct. 7 didn’t threaten the existence of Israel, he said, “but it certainly was an eye-opener that Israel was not as impenetrable as we had hoped.”
“Hundreds of Israelis lost their lives and, even today, we’re involved on all fronts, missiles coming in from all directions,” he said
Blaskey, who is semi-retired, is a senior counselor with Ballard Spahr, advising clients on estate, business and succession planning.
He spends a good part of the year in Naples, Florida, and has a home in Longport, New Jersey.
The Blaskeys have two daughters, Lisa, a neuropsychologist in Swarthmore, and Sharon, an attorney in Los Altos Hills, California. She directs compliance and litigation at a private equity firm. They also have four grandchildren.
Jewish values, he said, “give me a very strong sense of what’s right and wrong. I’ve tried to live my life that way and teach that to my children and grandchildren.”
Jewish values also teach Blaskey to strive to make the world better.
“I want to help people achieve the best they can achieve,” he said.
His advice to young people is to get involved in the Jewish community.
“It’s somewhat frustrating to me that more young people don’t get involved. They’re not as supportive of Israel. They don’t join synagogues the way we join synagogues,” Blaskey said. “But my advice to them and my concern is that we need them, and Israel needs them and the Jewish community needs them.”
The AJC is bringing a younger generation onto the board now, Blaskey said.
“Oct. 7 has awakened many people, young and old. We’re trying to mentor them and make them future leaders,” he said. “People have to step up and support the things they believe in.”
Ellen Braunstein is a freelance writer.