Rob Leikind, Director ________________________________________________ Rob Leikind is a veteran Jewish activist and civil rights leader, who was appointed Director of AJC Boston in June 2008. The son of immigrants who survived Hitler’s Europe, Rob has been a persuasive and creative advocate who has dedicated his career to combating bigotry and strengthening essential freedoms that are the pillars of democratic life. A lawyer by training, Rob began his career as an Assistant District Attorney before serving as Director of the Anti-Defamation League’s Connecticut and Boston offices. He went on to become Senior Vice President of Hebrew College before assuming his current position. In the course of his work, Rob has frequently brought together diverse coalitions to advance understanding and secure basic rights. He has been instrumental in advancing groundbreaking legislation on topics ranging from hate crimes to religious freedom and has also championed innovative educational programs that have transformed community life by establishing bridges of understanding between diverse communities. Rob has been a frequent contributor to television, radio and print media on topics ranging from Israel and anti-Semitism to interfaith relations and civil rights. He received his bachelor’s degree from Vassar College, an M.S. from Columbia University and his J.D. from the Boston College Law School. To contact Rob please email Boston@ajc.org or call 617-457-8700. Rebecca Keys, Assistant Director, Communications________________________ Rebecca Keys joined AJC Boston as the Assistant Director for Communications in October 2009 after many years living in Jerusalem, Israel. Rebecca holds a BA in Jewish Studies and World Religions from McGill University and studied for a MA in History of the Jewish People from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. A college activist and student community organizer, Rebecca worked for several years at the Interreligious Coordinating Council of Israel (ICCI), a Jerusalem-based NGO that works with Jewish, Christian, and Muslim youth, women, and religious leaders to promote Jewish-Arab coexistence and peace-building projects. Rebecca lives in Cambridge with her husband Yoni and Boston Terrier Philo. Andrea Taylor Dunkley, Office/Project Manager___________________________ Andrea Taylor Dunkley is the Office/Project Manager for AJC Boston, a position she has held since the summer of 2003. Andrea's responsibilities include overseeing a variety of administrative and special projects such as event planning, financial management, office management, and scheduling. Andrea works in close coordination with the director and also provides logistical assistance for AJC Boston's many partnerships. Andrea received her BA in Business Management from Daniel was recently hired in his position by the AJC in the Melanie Jolson, ACCESS Program Coordinator, Goldman Bridge Fellow______ Melanie Jolson joined the AJC Boston staff in August of 2011 as the ACCESS Program Coordinator and Goldman Bridge Fellow. Melanie graduated from Brandeis University with a BA cum laude in History and Politics. Melanie grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and prior to joining AJC, she worked in a variety of settings as a Jewish educator including serving as Director of Jewish Education at Herzl Camp in Wisconsin; Sr. Youth Advisor at Temple Aliyah in Needham, MA and as a Judaic Studies Teacher at the Boston-area Jewish Education Program. During her undergraduate studies, Melanie was a Hansard Society Scholar at the London School of Economics and a Parliamentary Intern in the House of Commons of British Parliament. Melanie comes to AJC Boston through the Goldman Bridge Fellowship to work with our ACCESS program, helping young leaders to advance the goals of AJC. |
AJC Boston Staff
