American Jewish Committee Appoints Ralph Grunewald to Assistant Executive Director

American Jewish Committee
Tuesday, 31 August 1999

Ralph Grunewald has been named Assistant Executive Director for Policy and Program at the American Jewish Committee.

In this newly created position, Mr. Grunewald will oversee AJC's extensive domestic, international and Jewish communal program areas, commencing September 13, 1999.

"Ralph is ideally suited to join AJC's executive leadership," said AJC Executive Director David A. Harris. "He has an impressive background in public policy, a deep understanding of American and world Jewry, a profound commitment to Jewish values and American ideals, and proven ability to work effectively in an organizational setting.

"Moreover, he brings exceptional human qualities to this key position - integrity, principle, compassion and wisdom. I couldn't be more delighted," said Mr. Harris. "Ralph will prove an invaluable addition to our top management team."

Mr. Grunewald joins the AJC after serving 11 years at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the last six as the museum's director of external affairs. Prior to assuming that post, which he created for the museum, he played a central role in completing the museum's $200 million capital campaign as deputy director for "A Campaign to Remember."

Mr. Grunewald, who has devoted his professional career to public and international affairs, much of it working in the Jewish community, said his personal interests and expertise and the goals of the AJC are "a perfect fit."

"I am absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to join what I consider the most dynamic Jewish organization in the world," said Mr. Grunewald. "I look forward to taking part in broadening the AJC's important activities, both in the US and abroad, and making the American Jewish Committee even more dynamic."

Before joining the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, Mr. Grunewald was an attorney at the Washington, DC law firm of Melrod, Redman & Gartlan. From 1981 to 1987, Mr. Grunewald served as Washington Representative of the national United Jewish Appeal.

Prior to joining UJA, he was Deputy Special Advisor for Jewish Liaison to President Jimmy Carter, and, before that, Legislative Assistant in the Washington Action Office of the Council of Jewish Federations.

Mr. Grunewald was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador in 1956 to refugees from Nazi Germany. Mr. Grunewald's family immigrated to San Diego, California, in 1961.

He received a Juris Doctor degree in 1987 from the National Law Center at George Washington University, where he also earned an MA degree in Public Affairs in 1980. He received a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California at San Diego in 1978.

He and his wife Marilyn have two children, Emily and Jonathan.

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org