Dr. Sharon Goldman, the newly appointed regional director at the American Jewish Committee, is making Atlanta her home after living in Jerusalem for eight years.
With a bachelor’s degree from Barnard College and a master’s and doctorate in political science from Yale University, Goldman has extensive experience in education, Jewish communal affairs and fundraising. She recently served as the director of Kivunim, a Jerusalem-based international Jewish gap-year program.
“I’ve had a bit of an adventurous life,” said Goldman, who has lived all over the U.S.
Growing up in Florida, Goldman said Israel was central to her Jewish identity. It was the place her family vacationed.
In her early career, Goldman was a college professor before becoming political director at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. For 12 years, she served in leadership roles with AIPAC until she decided to move to Israel. She wanted to be in the place she had spent years advocating for.
“I really believed in the import and the value and the sacrifices necessary to support and protect the Jewish state. I wanted to help build and strengthen and improve it not just from the outside, but from the inside.”
Goldman continued teaching and influencing young adults at Shalem College, Bar-Ilan University and most recently at Kivunim, a gap year program in Jerusalem.
When she learned about the AJC opening in Atlanta, her experience and background all came together in one job. It seemed destined, she said.
Goldman followed her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren to Atlanta in September. Leaving was bittersweet, she said, and she misses her friends. She also misses speaking Hebrew, which she worked hard to learn.
“If you had asked me six months ago if I’d be living in Atlanta, I would have thought you were out of your mind,” she said. “I’ve learned to just be open and to embrace opportunities as they come along.”
In her new position, Goldman is leaning on Vice President of Advocacy and Innovation Dov Wilker and former Executive Director Sherry Frank.
“I get to really take all this positive energy that’s already established and direct it a little bit more,” she said.
Goldman plans to give lay leaders larger roles in maintaining relationships with political and community partners, reach out to new allies and strengthen bonds between Jewish, Black, Hispanic and Indian communities.
“We have very strong ties and deep friendships,” she noted.
Goldman is getting to know the metro Atlanta area, which she loves for its lush tree canopy. She’s looking forward to her first major event: AJC Atlanta’s Human Rights Award dinner is Nov. 19, honoring Kathy Waller.
“I have an open door policy,” Goldman said. “I really want to get to know the community, and I want to hear the things that are concerning them.”
Goldman added: “My methodology has always been to learn as much as I teach, and that’s what building bridges is about as well.”
