Mark Waldman to Deliver 12th Annual Schloss Summer Lecture
“Elections 2016 and Its Implications on Israel”
Friday evening, July 22, 2016
7:30 pm following Shabbat Services
Temple Beth El
Temple Beth El and the Jewish Federation Community Relations Council (JCRC) is pleased to announce that Mark Waldman, National Director of Synagogue Initiative for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) will deliver the 12th Annual Schloss Summer Lecture following our Shabbat Summer Service on Friday night, July 22nd.
As the bipartisan pro-Israel lobbying organization, AIPAC works to promote and strengthen the US-Israel relationship by educating, informing and building relationships with Members of Congress and candidates for federal office. As the director of the Synagogue Initiative, Mark is responsible for outreach to the synagogue community, and its clergy, with the goal of greater participation in pro-Israel political activism. The Synagogue Initiative now plays a major role in providing educational opportunities and engaging community members in effective pro-Israel activism, greatly enhancing the organization’s overall efforts.
As a member of AIPAC’s senior leadership team, Mark meets with elected officials and other policymakers in the nation’s capital, while working to implement and steer organizational strategy.
Prior to his work at AIPAC Mark worked for the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) from 1998-2005. During his tenure at USCJ, Mark was the National Director of Public Policy (2004-2005) and the Executive Director of the Seaboard Region USCJ (MD, DC, VA, NC) based in Washington, DC (2001-2005). Prior to his arrival in Washington D.C, Mark was the Executive Director of the Empire Region USCJ (Upstate New York) from 1998-2001. As Executive Director of the Empire Region, Mark was also the Youth Director for Tzafon Region. Mark’s responsibilities at United Synagogue allowed him to work with hundreds of synagogues in the areas of leadership development, fundraising, professional placement, public policy advocacy, volunteerism and organizing.
Before working for USCJ, Mark held several positions in the Democratic Party, local and state government. Mark has been the Finance Director for the Erie County Democratic Committee, Chief of Staff to Erie County Legislator James C. DeMarco III, and Legislative Assistant for New York State Assemblyman Robin Schimminger.
Mark has a Bachelor’s in Political Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo, a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Maryland, and a Master’s in Management with a concentration in Non-Profit from the University of Maryland.
The Annual Schloss Lecture was established by Mattye and Marc Silverman in memory of Marc's uncle, Simeon Archibald "Happy" Schloss, Jr., who was a founder of Temple Beth El. The lecture is open to the public. Join us for appetizers at 5:15 pm, a Shabbat summer service at 6:00 pm followed by a Shabbat dinner and Schloss Lecture at 7:30 pm. Please visit www.templebethel.org to register for the dinner and lecture by Friday, July 15, 2016.