Eight months ago the JCRC-NY Board of Directors appointed me to serve as interim CEO until a new, permanent CEO takes the reins. Even though I knew this would be a short gig, I set out to take advantage of this opportunity to advance our community relations agenda. Working together with our amazing staff and lay leaders, we put plans in motion to strengthen our core capacity, implement new programs to build bridges with emerging leaders, and intensify our existing relationships with the diverse leaders of New York.

Then, October 7th shocked the world. Without hesitation, the team at JCRC-NY sprang into action. On the home front, together with our partners at UJA, we organized major rallies and gatherings for tens of thousands of New Yorkers supporting our Israeli friends and family.  Along with many elected officials at the local and state levels, we repeatedly called upon the Biden Administration and Members of Congress to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of the remaining Israeli hostages. Through our Community Security Initiative, we provided Jewish institutions with security guards and increased protections from law enforcement amidst a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents.

JCRC-NY also brought dozens of elected officials and prominent faith leaders to Israel on four separate solidarity missions to witness the devastation that Hamas terrorists caused.  In fact, earlier today, the most recent solidarity mission returned home.  The delegation was led by NYS Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, who, just days after October 7th, purchased an additional $20 million in Israel Bonds. Other members of the delegation included NYS Assembly Members Kenny Burgos and John Zaccaro, Jr. and NYC Council Members Shaun Abreu, Chris Banks, Joe Borelli, Kamillah Hanks, Julie Menin, Mercedes Narcisse, and Lynn Schulman, together representing all five boroughs. We thank them for joining us and standing with the people of Israel and the global Jewish community at this critical moment; especially when so many of us feel abandoned.

Through it all, JCRC-NY has been working with the leadership of the New York City Public Schools and the City University of New York to advocate for the proper representation and inclusion of the Jewish community.  Our Center for Shared Society has never been busier working to bring diverse leaders together in coalitions, an especially challenging task in this polarized climate. Yet still, several new cohorts of diverse young leaders graduated from our fellowships, planting seeds that will grow to benefit the Jewish community and all New Yorkers as they become New York’s next generation of leaders.

Though I am deeply proud of JCRC-NY’s accomplishments over the last several months, now is the time to look toward the future.

It is my pleasure to welcome JCRC-NY’s new CEO, Mark Treyger, effective March 4th.  Mark is a longtime public servant, having completed two full terms in the New York City Council, including as Chair of the Council’s Education Committee.  He has also served as a senior advisor to Mayor Adams and Chancellor Banks on education-related issues.  He is a coalition builder, a problem solver, and a trusted advisor to our City and State’s leadership.  Most importantly, Mark is a mensch.  He truly seeks to do good for others and work for the betterment of New York. Under his leadership, I am confident that JCRC-NY will reach new heights, address the increasing needs of our community, and strengthen our coalitions with the full complex diversity of New York.  I look forward to working alongside him at JCRC-NY as COO and Chief Community Relations Officer as we strive to secure a thriving and interconnected future for the New York Jewish community and all our neighbors.

Shabbat Shalom,

Noam Gilboord, Interim CEO

Jewish Community Relations Council of New York