Jewish Community Relations Council of New York
Names Mark Treyger as New Chief Executive Officer

Media Contact:
Tzipporah Shapiro shapirotz@jcrcny.org

NEW YORK, NY – January 24, 2024 – Today, the Board of Directors of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY) announced the appointment of Mark Treyger as Chief Executive Officer. During this critical time for the Jewish community, Treyger will step up to lead New York’s most prominent Jewish community relations and advocacy organization and  continue the important work of building relationships to advance the Jewish community’s values, interests, and security and create a more interconnected New York for all.

In August 2023, a Search Committee comprised of JCRC-NY Board members and other important stakeholders was formed to research, review, and select their top candidate for the CEO role.  Following an expansive search, the Committee presented its recommendation to the JCRC-NY Executive Committee, which unanimously approved the appointment of Mark Treyger as JCRC-NY’s CEO, effective March 4, 2024.

A first-generation New Yorker, Treyger brings wide knowledge and experience to the role. He served as a Council Member for the 47th District of New York from 2014 to 2021 before Mayor Adams appointed him as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for NYC Public Schools in 2022. In 2016, Treyger was elected as the Democratic District Leader/State Committeeman in the 46th Assembly District, and selected to serve as the chairperson of the City Council’s Committee on Education in 2018. Previously, Treyger spent eight years teaching at New Utrecht High School, taking an active  role in the United Federation of Teachers.

“I am thrilled to have the extraordinary opportunity to serve as the next CEO of JCRC-NY,” said Treyger. “As a grandson of Holocaust survivors and World War II veterans, a son of immigrants  from the former Soviet Union, a former public school teacher, and a former NYC Council Member and public servant, I am honored to work alongside incredible JCRC-NY colleagues and partners  to move forward the work of this revered organization. Together, we will be at the forefront of grassroots coalition-building to ensure that Jewish identity is embraced while advancing shared goals of a more safe, inclusive, and connected New York for all New Yorkers.”

“I look forward to working hand-in-hand with Mark as he assumes the role of CEO of the JCRC-NY,” said Ben Golub, President, JCRC-NY. “Mark’s proven track record of successfully  working with people of diverse backgrounds as a member of the City Council will be invaluable as the JCRC-NY reaches out across New York’s myriad of communities. Raised in Brooklyn from an  immigrant family, he is able to relate to the challenges being faced today by new New Yorkers. His passion, training, and experience as an educator will allow the JCRC-NY to better help address  many of the challenges in our schools.”

“UJA-Federation has long-partnered with JCRC-NY on advocacy and cross-community efforts that are vital to strengthening and safeguarding our city,” said Eric S. Goldstein, CEO, UJA-Federation of New York. “Now, at a time of sharply rising antisemitism and hate across our schools and on our shared streets, the work of JCRC-NY is even more important. Mark’s dedication to  the values and mission of JCRC-NY has been evident throughout his career in public service, and we look forward to the vital contribution he will make to our community in this new role.”

“We are delighted to welcome Mark Treyger to JCRC-NY,” said Cheryl Fishbein, Chair of the Board, JCRC-NY. “He brings wonderful qualities to the position and is uniquely prepared to bring us to greater  heights. Mark will grow our community relations work to meet the challenges we face today and in the future.”

“Mark’s passion, experience, and depth of community and governmental  relationships across New York uniquely positions him to lead JCRC-NY at this critical time,” said Sanford Antignas, Vice President, JCRC-NY, and Chair of the CEO Search Committee. “He is the right leader at the right time to represent the New York Jewish Community as a convener, coalition builder, and advocate to face the challenges that the Jewish and broader community faces.”

“As a member of the NYC Council and subsequently as a senior leader in the NYC Dept. of Education, Mark Treyger has been a consistent and reliable advocate for the needs of the Jewish  community and the State of Israel,” said Noam Gilboord, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Community Relations Officer, JCRC-NY. “I look forward to working closely with him in his new role  as CEO and building bridges together to ensure that our community’s security, interests, and values are of the highest priorities among the political, faith-based, and community leadership of New York.”

“New York is proud to be the home of more Jews than anywhere outside the State of Israel. I’ve worked closely with the Jewish Community Relations Council during my time in public service and  look forward to continuing those efforts with Mark Treyger in this new role. We’ll continue fighting side-by-side to end antisemitism and support Jewish communities across the State of New  York,” said New York State Governor Kathy Hochul.

“Mark Treyger is a dedicated public servant, crisis-tested leader and outstanding choice to serve as CEO of JCRC-NY. Mark has been one of the strongest voices fighting against antisemitism and  supporting the safety and security of Jewish communities in Brooklyn, New York State and around the country,” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. “I congratulate my good friend on his appointment and look forward to partnering with him and the JCRC as they continue their important work.”

“Mark Treyger is a great friend who I have been honored to work with and I applaud his appointment as CEO of JCRC-NY,” said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng. “He is an exceptional and talented leader  who has stood up against antisemitism as well as hate and bigotry directed toward other communities. He will do an outstanding job as head of JCRC-NY, and he’ll continue working tirelessly on  behalf of the Jewish community and building bridges with other communities throughout our region. I am proud to congratulate Mark, and I’m excited to work with him in his new role.”

“Mark Treyger is one of the finest public servants I know,” said U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres. “As colleagues in the NYC Council, Mark and I have long stood together on the frontlines of fighting  antisemitism and fighting for Israel’s right to not only exist but also defend itself as a Jewish State. Mark is a fearless fighter for the causes he believes in—Jewish communal life and New York are  foremost among them. JCRC-NY has been life-changing for elected officials like myself, and it will become even more so under the leadership of its new CEO. If I were asked to name a single  person I consider a brother in public service, it would be Mark Treyger, whose integrity and decency are second to none.”

“Throughout his entire career, Mark Treyger has been a dedicated public servant and has always prioritized the needs of our communities,” said New York State Attorney General Letitia James. “It is  more important than ever that we have strong and active Jewish organizations in New York, and no one is better suited to lead JCRC than Mark Treyger. I look forward to continuing our  longstanding partnership with JCRC, its new CEO, and all our Jewish communities for years to come.”

“Mark has been a friend for over a decade, but, more importantly, he’s been an incredible asset to this city and New Yorkers as a former educator, former city council member, and, most recently,  as senior education advisor to Chancellor Banks and the City Hall team,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Mark’s integrity, passion for service, and uncanny ability to bring people together  to solve common challenges are exactly what is needed in this moment. Congratulations to JCRC-NY for appointing a highly respected and trusted voice who will not only effectively represent the  interests of New York’s vibrant Jewish community, but is a proven coalition builder who will help advance our shared goals of a more safe, inclusive, and connected city for all New Yorkers.”

“I congratulate my former City Council colleague and dear friend Mark Treyger on his new role as CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams.  “Mark is an outstanding leader, dedicated public servant, and passionate advocate who has fought and delivered for all New Yorkers. His appointment to lead JCRC-NY comes at an important  time for our city, and I look forward to working closely with him to advance a safer, healthier, and more connected New York.”

“From his time as an educator to serving as City Council Education Chair to his leadership of our NYC Public Schools intergovernmental affairs team, Mark’s many years of service reflect his  commitment to our city and our children,” said David C. Banks, Chancellor of New York City Public Schools. “Mark has been at my side as a trusted education advisor and friend. He has listened  and responded to the needs of our school communities to build a more safe, inclusive, and supportive school system for students, staff, and families. I have tremendous respect for JCRC-NY and  look forward to continuing to work with Mark to advance shared goals of inclusivity and bridge building across our city.”

“I am thrilled that Mark Treyger is taking the lead at JCRC,” said New York City Council Member and Chair of the Jewish Caucus Eric Dinowitz. “Mark is the perfect choice to lead JCRC, especially during this particularly challenging time. I had the honor of serving with Mark in the NYC Council and the pleasure of collaborating with him during his time at NYC Public Schools, and I know  firsthand his unwavering commitment to our shared values and his collaborative ability to make positive change here in our city. I look forward to working with him toward a more interconnected  New York.”

 

ABOUT JCRC-NY

JCRC-NY, a UJA-Federation of NY agency, serves as the primary community relations agency for the Jewish community in the metropolitan New York area. As an active force in New York civic  and communal life, JCRC-NY operates as a central coordinating and resource body to: (1) Be a common table to create understanding and joint action amongst diverse groups within the Jewish  community; (2) Cultivate deeper relationships with the broader New York community to address critical issues and engender a shared society; (3) Ensure the security of the Jewish community in  the face of rising antisemitism; and (4) Foster knowledge about and appreciation for the Jewish community’s relationship with Israel, and to increase knowledge, exposure, and support for Israel  among diverse groups of New Yorkers.

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