The Jewish Community Relations Council of St. Louis (JCRC) has announced that David Cohen will be its next executive director, following a national search. Cohen, a veteran community relations professional with more than two decades of experience serving Jewish organizations, will officially step into the role on March 31.
“We conducted a national search – casting a wide net to select the next executive director of our JCRC, and David emerged as the clear leader,” said David Rosenstock, incoming JCRC board chair and head of the search committee. “David is a skilled communicator who thrives on bringing Jews and non-Jews together to find common ground. His extensive experience as a leader in the Jewish communal space, as well as his strong commitment to Israel and fighting antisemitism, combine to make him the right person to lead our JCRC at this critical moment in time.”
Cohen, a Boston native, has held leadership positions with Jewish federations, synagogues, JCRCs, and the Anti-Defamation League in Boston. Most recently, he served as president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg. Prior to that, he was the senior director of community affairs for the JCRC of Greater Boston, JCRC director in Richmond, Va., and associate regional director for the ADL in Boston. In these roles, Cohen has built relationships with local officials, legislators, rabbis, and interfaith clergy, led efforts to enhance statewide Holocaust education, organized educational tours of Israel, and convened community agencies to address policy issues and priorities.
“What first drew me to the JCRC of St. Louis was its deep history of advocacy and coalition building in the community. On the national stage, the St. Louis JCRC has stood out as a model for leadership, impact, and innovation. It’s something I knew I wanted to be part of,” Cohen said. “St. Louis walks the walk of JCRC work – and it is an honor to be asked to help lead these efforts.”
Cohen is a certified Holocaust educator and previously taught high school history before transitioning into Jewish communal work. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University, a master of arts in political history from Boston University, and a master of arts in Jewish education and organizational leadership from Hebrew Union College. In May 2024, he also earned a certificate in nonprofit leadership from the Mandel Executive Leadership Program.
A transition committee, led by JCRC board member Frances Levine, has been established to support Cohen as he steps into his new role. He will also work closely with JCRC’s outgoing board chair, Joel Iskiwitch, incoming board chair Rosenstock, and interim executive director Rosalie Stein throughout the transition process.
Cohen’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for the JCRC, as it continues its work addressing rising antisemitism, strengthening interfaith and intercommunity relationships, and advocating for Jewish concerns locally and beyond.
| RELATED: Rabbi Scott Shafrin stepping down as JCRC executive director
