Joel Shapiro has been a member of the Society for the Advancement of Judaism (SAJ) in New York for 43 years. He served as treasurer, controller and board member of the SAJ for more years than he can remember. He also served as chair of the Ritual Committee for a number of years.
In addition, Joel served on the Board of the Federation of Reconstructionist Congregations and Havurot, FRCH, for many years and was the treasurer of FRCH for most of them. He also served on the Board of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, RRC.
Joel is the grandfather of Camp Havaya camper, Reeva Alster.