Prior to joining the team at Federation in July 2020, Rich has had a distinguished career working in a wide variety of Jewish communal and educational settings. He brings extensive experience increasing community involvement in Jewish formal and informal learning, developing leadership and engagement programs, and facilitating conversations about and involvement with Israel. Rich served as the Associate Director for Israel Education at Emory University’s Institute for the Study of Modern Israel and as Vice President of Curriculum and Outreach for its sister organization, the Center for Israel Education (2012-2020), Director of Jewish Life and Learning at the Jewish Federation and Jewish Community Center of Greater New Haven (2007-2012), and Director of Education and Community Development at the Bureau of Jewish Education in Rhode Island (1999-2007). From 1997 to 2001 he taught in the Solomon Schechter School in Providence, Rhode Island.

He was educated at Brandeis University where he received his BA and MA degrees focusing on Near and Eastern and Judaic Studies, politics, and Jewish history. Rich is currently a fellow in the Mandel Institute for Nonprofit Leadership’s fourth cohort of the Executive Leadership Program. He is originally from the suburbs of Boston and is still a devoted fan of the Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics, and Bruins. Rich loves to cook, and he especially enjoys sharing his culinary creations with friends and family.