Goldman Takes Helm at American Jewish Committee

Sharon Goldman is bringing a career spanning Jewish communal life, Israel engagement, education, philanthropy, and political strategy as the new regional director of the American Jewish Committee (AJC).

Goldman succeeds Dov Wilker, who has been promoted within the AJC as vice president, advocacy & innovation, national director, Black/Jewish relations. Goldman brings both domestic and international expertise in a curriculum vitae from academia to prominent institutions in Jewish communal life.

Most recently, Goldman served as director of the Kivunim Gap Year Program in Jerusalem, overseeing strategic operations, curriculum development, and education. The program drew her close to young people grappling with hot topical questions surrounding Israel, pluralism, civic responsibility, and global Jewish identity.

Prior to Kivunim, Goldman was vice president of global resource development at Bar-Ilan University, where she focused on donor engagement, strategic outreach and international partnerships. She previously held an executive position at Shalem College and spent nearly 12 years with AIPAC in senior political and regional roles. Earning a PhD in political science from Yale University, she was a National Science Foundation fellow. Her writings have addressed contemporary political affairs, antisemitism, and Jewish identity, with work appearing in publications including Commentary Magazine and The Forward.

Goldman’s move to Atlanta is about the AJC career opportunity, as well as family. She explained, “I am honored and excited to be the new regional director of the AJC, and I’m inspired daily by the staff and lay leadership. Also, I decided to move to Atlanta for personal reasons.”

Goldman has three children; two remained in the United States when she moved to Israel eight years ago, while her daughter was living in Israel, serving in the IDF. After 11 years in Israel, her daughter, now married with two children, moved to Atlanta. Goldman said that decision prompted her to reconsider where she wanted to build the next chapter of her life.

“I struggled with what to do. I loved my life in Israel and believe deeply in the importance of being present in the project of strengthening the Jewish democracy; but I couldn’t imagine a life without any of my family.”

Her three children, two grandchildren, sister, and parents now live in the U.S. For Goldman, the AJC opportunity was a “win-win.”

“So, when I heard about this incredible opportunity with the AJC, it offered me the possibility of meaningfully continuing to work to support and strengthen the Jewish people and Israel. And that tipped the scales to bring me to this amazing place and new life.”

On a personal note, Goldman had a connection to Israel long before her professional career. Growing up in Florida in what she describes as a “strongly Zionist home,” her family traveled to Israel every few years, and she was encouraged to participate in Shabbat conversations about Judaism, Israel, and politics.

A particularly formative experience for Goldman was participating in March of the Living. She related, “Leaving the blood-soaked countries of Europe to be greeted in Israel by the young men and women of the IDF, who were only a few years older than me, but doing such critical work, solidified my commitment to being part of ensuring the continued strength of the Jewish homeland and working to strengthen Jewish communities around the world.”

Now, Goldman is getting to know the Peach State and its capital. “This is my first time living in Atlanta, and I have been surprised and amazed at how beautiful a city it is. I was told Atlanta is the ‘City in a Forest,’ and I’m loving the gorgeous nature all around me.”

Between moving halfway around the world, starting the new job, and observing the Jewish holidays, Goldman has managed a hike in the East Palisades Trail (Bamboo Forest). She also maintains a busy routine of news and reading. Goldman listens to podcasts by Dan Senor and Haviv Rettig Gur, The New York Times’ “The Daily,” and NPR’s “Up First.” An early riser, she uses the hours before work to run or do Pilates.

Goldman concluded, “I’m always catching up on the news.”