Chronicle editor Elana Kahn-Oren has been hired to be director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. She will begin in mid-July.
In January 2010, the federation’s board of directors voted to approve a merger of the Milwaukee Jewish Council for Community Relations, then an MJF constituent agency, as a core function of the federation, following approval by the MJCCR Board.
This structure — community relations as an integrated function of the federation — is common among North American Jewish federations.
In August 2009, long-time MJCCR executive director Paula Simon resigned. Since then, Kathy Heilbronner has served as interim director.
As the integration of the Community Relations function moved forward, the federation, under the leadership of Executive Vice President Richard H. Meyer, conducted a comprehensive search to recruit a director for the JCRC, resulting in the selection of Kahn-Oren in May.
“We are delighted with the choice of Elana as our new director,” said outgoing JCRC chair Judy Kristal.
“She brings in-depth knowledge of our community as well as great passion for the work of community relations, and we look forward to working with her,” she said.
“Strong community relations work is absolutely essential in today’s complex world,” said MJF President Jerry Benjamin.
“The proactive nurturing of key relationships, skilled advocacy, commitment to social justice, interfaith dialogue and strong interaction with community leaders and the media all work together to position, support and strengthen the Jewish community,” he said.
“I believe that Elana will excel in these areas and be a strong and visible leader of the JCRC.”
Kahn-Oren has been editor of The Chronicle since 2005 and served in other editorial positions at the paper since 2002. Leon Cohen, former op-ed editor, is serving as interim editor as The Chronicle conducts an expanded search for a permanent replacement.
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