April 26, 2023
American Jewish Committee (AJC) has named Rachel Urman the new director of its Northern California regional office.
Urman was previously a director of synagogue initiatives for AIPAC in the Pacific Northwest, where she also led fundraising and organizing campaigns in 10 states.
“The Bay Area is one of the nation’s most vibrant areas when it comes to Jewish engagement and activism, so we’re thrilled that someone with Rachel’s background has joined us,” said AJC Chief Field Operations Officer Melanie Maron Pell. “Rachel will enable AJC to be an active part of both discussions and solutions regarding the many complex issues Jews in the region must confront.”
AJC, the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, has 25 regional offices in the U.S.
“I’m beyond excited to be joining AJC at a time when the organization’s commanding voice in the Jewish community is needed more than ever,” Urman said. “AJC’s unparalleled leadership in standing up to antisemitism and advocating for Israel has played an important role in the Bay Area.”
In her former role at AIPAC, Urman was responsible for engagement with rabbis and development of strategic partnerships with synagogues. She has also worked as an attorney in Toronto and as an adjunct professor of comparative law and ethics at Santa Clara University.
Urman has also served on the board at Congregation Kol Emeth and on board committees at Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School, both in Palo Alto. She earned a BSc in psychology and ethics from the University of Toronto and an LLB from McGill University in Montreal.
Urman lives in the South Bay with her family.
