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(Toronto, ON) – Michael Argand, Chair of the board of the Atlantic Jewish Council (AJC), has announced that Jon Goldberg will step down as Executive Director of the AJC and the Atlantic Jewish Foundation in 2016 after more than 20 years in the role.

“We are grateful for all the work Jon has done to strengthen Jewish life in communities across the Atlantic region. The impact of his efforts will resonate for years to come. We wish him great success in all future endeavours. “

As leader of the Atlantic Jewish community, Jon built lasting bonds between Israel and communities across the Atlantic region by promoting Jewish continuity at home and advocating for Israel. He collaborated with local and national partners to counter antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment and to celebrate Jewish culture. Among his many notable achievements is a 20% growth in the size of the local Jewish community between 2009 and 2014 by spearheading an immigration program for Russian Israeli Jews.   

“I’ll miss the spirit and friendship I have developed over the years with Canadian and Israeli professionals and friends. I’ll especially miss dealing with the community at large as the spokesperson in Atlantic Canada for Israel and the Jewish community.”

Naomi Rosenfeld has been hired to succeed Jon Goldberg. She is completing a Masters of Business Administration and Masters of Arts in Jewish Professional Leadership at Brandeis University with a concentration in Israel Education from The iCenter. She is one of JFNA’s Federation Executive Recruitment and Education Program (FEREP) Graduate Scholars and a recipient of the Charles R. Bronfman Scholarship from the Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program.

While born and raised in Toronto, it was as a staff member at Camp Kadimah that Naomi developed a love and appreciation for the Atlantic Canadian Jewish community. Subsequently, as the Hillel Director of Atlantic Canada, she engaged hundreds of students on seven university campuses across the region. Naomi spearheaded innovative Jewish student programming including holiday celebrations, social justice initiatives, Holocaust education events, and Israel education.

“I am both excited and humbled to be returning to Atlantic Canada, and I can’t wait to reacquaint myself with this unique, committed, and welcoming community. A big thank you to the board of the Atlantic Jewish Council for their trust and support during this process. I look forward to engaging with them, as well as the broader community, as partners in our pursuit towards enhancing the quality of Jewish life in this region.”

Naomi will start in the position in the summer of 2016.

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About Jewish Federations of Canada – UIA www.jewishcanada.org  Jewish Federations of Canada – UIA works with Canadian Jewish Federations and communities to strengthen Jewish life in Canada, Israel and overseas. It represents ten Canadian Federations and four regional councils, each of which raises and distributes funds annually for social welfare and educational needs in Canada and Israel.

About The Atlantic Jewish Council– www.theajc.ns.ca The major responsibilities of the AJC are Israel advocacy as the local partner of the Centre for Israel & Jewish Affairs, community relations, fighting anti-Semitism, and promoting interfaith dialogue and multiculturalism. The AJC acts as a spokesperson for the Atlantic region on a local and national level to government and a large number of Jewish and non-Jewish organizations. It is funded mainly by JFC-UIA and is responsible for the annual United Jewish Appeal campaigns and for implementing the agenda through the region.