For Immediate Release: July 6, 2023
Media Contact: Meredith MacKenzie de Silva, jcpa@westendstrategy.com, (202) 412-4270
Rosenthal previously served on JCPA’s executive committee and succeeds David Bohm in the role; she joins new CEO Amy Spitalnick
NEW YORK — The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA), the national convener of Jewish coalitions working to build a just and inclusive American democracy, announced the board’s selection of Leslie Dannin Rosenthal as its next chair. She succeeds David Bohm, who played an instrumental role in moving JCPA into its new chapter focused on protecting and advancing American democracy and combating hate, discrimination, and extremism.
Leslie enters this role with ample experience in Jewish community relations, including serving on the JCPA board since 2019, most recently on the Executive Committee. Previously, she was the president of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest New Jersey and has served on boards of the Jewish Federations of North America, Mack Ness Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest, and the Jewish Community Legacy Project.
Reflecting on her selection for the role, Leslie Dannin Rosenthal, new JCPA board chair, shared, “I’m honored to be taking on the JCPA board chair at this time in our history. We are building on a long tradition of leadership, focused on encouraging democracy and combating antisemitism and bigotry of all kinds – issues that have long mattered to American Jews. I’m very excited to be working with Amy and our entire lay and professional team, supporting the Jewish community relations field, strengthening existing partnerships within and beyond the Jewish community and creating new ones.”
“I am thrilled to welcome Leslie as JCPA’s next board chair,” said Amy Spitalnick, JCPA Chief Executive Officer. “Her deep understanding of the need for innovation and strategic coalition building will be invaluable as we enter this new chapter for JCPA and work to meet this critical moment for the Jewish community and our democracy. I’m so grateful to David Bohm, who has provided crucial leadership through a transformational time for JCPA – and I know that JCPA will continue to rely on his wise counsel.”
David Bohm, outgoing JCPA board chair, added, “It has been a pleasure working with Leslie Dannin Rosenthal on the board, where I witnessed her dedication and commitment to the Jewish Council for Public Affairs along with her ability to foster meaningful dialogue and act as a unifying force. As I step down from my role, I have full confidence that Leslie’s leadership will propel JCPA to new heights and will help advance the important work of strengthening our democracy.”
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About JCPA
The mission of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) is to strengthen and leverage the Jewish community relations network across the nation to champion a just, democratic, and pluralistic society and advance the right of full inclusion of all members of our society, including Jews, free of discrimination, hate, and prejudice.
Inspired by Jewish values of human dignity and equal justice under the law and an abiding commitment to vibrant and secure Jewish communities here, in Israel, and throughout the world, JCPA convenes and catalyzes its network to work with public officials, build deep relations, and engage in advocacy coalitions based on shared goals.