Joel Iskiwitch named new board chair of JCRC

Joel+Ishkowitz

Joel Ishkowitz

Joel Iskiwitch has been instated as Board Chair of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC). Iskiwitch succeeds Deborah Price who has served as Board Chair since 2021.

Joel Iskiwitch, JD, CPA is an active volunteer with the St. Louis nonprofit community, having served as a Board Member/Trustee for many organizations, including President of The Scholarship Foundation of St Louis. He has practiced law with a St. Louis-based law firm, and accounting with an international CPA firm. For over 20 years, he was an executive with two financial service firms, specializing in marketing and product development. He currently is a realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty-Gundaker working alongside his wife Joanne. He received his undergraduate degree from The Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania, and his JD from Washington University. Joel and his wife Joanne have two adult daughters who both live in Los Angeles, CA. He is a member of Temple Emanuel.

In speaking about his new role as Chair, Joel reflected on the moment and offered his gratitude to his predecessor, Deborah Price: “I am honored to serve as the Chair of the JCRC. Our work can at times be challenging but our goal is to make our community stronger and allow everyone to have a voice. Because we know from long experience, that an open, pluralistic society where all people are welcomed, allows Jews and Judaism to flourish. I also want to thank Deborah Price for the time and talent she put into the Chairmanship the past two years. Until you have served in the role, it is difficult to grasp how much time you need to put into the position if you want to do it right. And Deborah did it right. She deserves our admiration.”

“With his unparalleled passion, unwavering commitment, and remarkable leadership abilities, Joel brings a vibrant energy that invigorates us all,” said Maharat Rori Picker Neiss, Executive Director of the JCRC. “His steadfast dedication to fostering unity, promoting dialogue, and advancing social justice inspires us to embrace a future of endless possibilities.”

The JCRC also wishes to acknowledge new Board Members Karen Aroesty, Shira Berkowitz, Michael Novack, Isaac Pollack, and Nikki Weinstein as well as new At-Large Council Members Hila Ben Abraham, Emilie Fan, Connie Flachs, and Rhona Lyons.