Local Leaders Attend AJC’s 2026 Global Forum

The American Jewish Committee (AJC) hosted its annual Global Forum in Washington, D.C. from May 31 to June. More than 2,000 participants came together to hear from influential speakers, address key issues impacting Israel, and further develop their Jewish leadership skills.

Seventy-five attendees were from the Southeast, representing board members, members of AJC’s young professional division ACCESS, college student leaders, and community leaders. Lisa Siegel and Lori Kilberg led Atlanta recruitment efforts as co-chairs. The delegation played a visible role throughout the conference, participating as speakers, moderators, panel introducers, and advocates.

AJC Atlanta First Vice President Shauna Grosswald reflected, “What stands out most to me is how strongly Atlanta showed up throughout Global Forum. Everywhere I turned, I seemed to run into members of our delegation — engaged in sessions, building relationships, advocating on the Hill, and representing our community with distinction. I was especially proud of our ACCESS group. Their participation, enthusiasm, and visibility throughout the conference were a testament to the strength of Atlanta’s future leadership.”

One of the conference’s most notable moments for the Atlanta community came when recent Emory University graduate, Sophie Kalmin, received the AJC Sharon Greene Award for Campus Advocacy on behalf of Emory Hillel. Kalmin acknowledged the Greene family commenting, “Thank you to the Greene family for supporting this award which enables generations of students to be advocates for themselves as well as their communities.”

The award recognizes student leaders who combat antisemitism, support Jewish life on campus, and advocate for Israel.

Furthermore, several Atlanta leaders were featured across sessions. Dov Wilker, AJC vice president of advocacy and innovation and regional director of AJC Atlanta, moderated, “Rewriting the Narrative: Jewish Voices in the Entertainment Industry,” featuring Jamie Denbo, Billy Mann, Debrah Marcus, and Lori York. Melanie Nelkin, chair of the AJC Board of Governors, spoke in honor of Rabbi Andrew Baker with a lifetime achievement award for Jewish advocacy. Ilene Engel, chair of AJC national leadership development, introduced a panel entitled, “Governing Through Rising Hatred: How Mayors are Responding,” and Lisa Schnaubelt, president of AJC ACCESS Global Board, introduced a panel entitled, “AI, Antisemitism, and the Future of Jewish Advocacy.”

In addition to discussions on global affairs, diplomacy, and Jewish advocacy, AJC unveiled its new Combating Antisemitism Playbook, a resource designed to help leaders and institutions respond effectively to antisemitism. Atlanta leaders plan to bring the lessons and resources from the Forum back to their local communities while continuing to engage in conversations that strengthen advocacy efforts at home and beyond.

Nir Levy, associate director of leadership engagement at AJC Atlanta, when asked about where he hopes the delegates will take what they learned, said, “Everywhere. To conversations with local leaders that could not make it to Global Forum, and next year back in Washington, D.C., for AJC Global Forum 2027, because our leadership makes a difference, not just locally but on the world stage.”

Other leaders who attended from Atlanta included the Rev. Sean Smith, senior advisor for faith affairs to Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens; Marvel Joseph, National Black Empowerment Council director of strategic initiatives; Professor Ken Stein; Atlanta Rabbis Rabbi Elizabeth Breit, Ron Segal, and Bradley Levenberg; AJC Atlanta’s ACCESS Co-Chair, Sarah Wishnick; AJC Atlanta Leaders for Tomorrow alum Maccabee Anderson (student at University of Chicago); and AJC Atlanta 2026 Goldman Fellow Emily Silver (student at University of Virginia).