Skip to main content

Main navigation

  • AJC Home
  • Who We Are
    • Leadership
    • Global Offices
    • U.S. Regional Offices
    • Project Interchange
    • Young Leadership
    • Careers
    • Archives and History
  • Issues
    • Israel
    • Antisemitism
    • Radicalism & Extremism
    • BDS
    • Interreligious
    • Human Rights
    • 2020 Policy Resources
  • Take Action
  • Virtual Events
    • Advocacy Anywhere
    • Global Forum
    • Audacious Ambition
    • #BlackJewishUnity Week
    • AJC at the 2020 Conventions
  • Global Voice
  • Support Our Work
    • Donate
    • Donor Recognition Societies
      • National Leadership Council
      • Marshall Society
      • AJC Visionaries
        • Create Your Legacy
    • Planned Giving
Relevance
Date
Title

Secondary navigation

  • Languages
    • English
    • Español
    • Français
    • Deutsch
  • Global Offices
  • Media
  • Podcast

Header Follow Links

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
Donate

Richard S. Hirschhaut

Regional Director, AJC Los Angeles
Headshot of Richard S. Hirschhaut, AJC Los Angeles Regional Director

Richard S. Hirschhaut became Director of AJC Los Angeles in September 2019. He is the organization’s chief strategist and principal spokesperson in advancing AJC’s global advocacy mission in Southern California, leading a vibrant leadership network and talented professional team.

Rick brings to this position more than 30 years of civil rights, humanitarian, and Jewish communal advocacy, serving in senior professional roles across the U.S. with the Anti-Defamation League, Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, and American Friends of Rambam Medical Center.

Rick is a builder and innovator who has worked to advance human rights and democratic values, enhance intergroup understanding, and promote the security and well-being of Jews and other vulnerable communities in the United States, Israel, and around the world. His work with NGOs has included efforts to advance humanitarian medical aid and peaceful coexistence in Israel and neighboring countries. He has led fact-finding missions to Israel, Ukraine, Ethiopia, and Cuba. He also spearheaded international efforts to mark the 20th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Previously, Rick led the creation and establishment of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, as its founding executive director. The museum opened in 2009 to international acclaim and the participation of President Bill Clinton, Nobel Laureate and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, and an audience of 13,000. Under his leadership, the museum hosted over half a million visitors, including heads of state and other dignitaries. In 2013, Rick received an Emmy Award as Co-Executive Producer of the nationally-broadcast documentary, Skokie: Invaded but Not Conquered.

Rick also enjoyed a 21-year tenure with the Anti-Defamation League, including a decade as Midwest regional director. He built bridges between the African-American and Jewish communities and worked closely with law enforcement on issues of antisemitism and extremism. His achievements were recognized with the FBI’s Community Leadership Award and the City of Chicago’s Human Relations Award.

Rick and his wife Susan, a native of Los Angeles, are the proud parents of two adult children. He holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations and Judaic studies from Tulane University, and has studied at Hebrew University’s Rothberg School for Overseas Students. He grew up in upstate New York and Knoxville, Tennessee.

  • AJC Home
  • Who We Are
  • Issues
  • Take Action
  • Virtual Events
  • Global Voice
  • Support Our Work

Share This

Back to Top

By this Author

USC Is Taking Strong Action Against Antisemitism and Other Forms Of Hate
10.21.2020
Read AJC's Analysis
Antisemitism Plagues the Right, But A More Pernicious Kind Lurks on the Left
5.23.2020
Read AJC's Analysis
More by Richard S. Hirschhaut

Sign Up to Stay Informed

Global Voice

AJC Shabbat Table
Shabbat Parshat Vaera - AJC Shabbat Table
Capitol Hill riots on January 6
Inside America’s Far Right; Congressman Ritchie Torres
Photo of Rep. Ritchie Torres
A Special Conversation with Congressman Ritchie Torres
graphic displaying AJC logo
AJC Statement on Impeachment of President Trump
More AJC News and Analysis

Sign Up to Stay Informed

Stay Connected

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
Donate

AJC's mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel, and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world.

© Copyright 2021 AJC

Footer menu

  • Global Voice
  • Who We Are
    • Leadership
    • Global Offices
    • Regional Offices
    • Young Leadership
    • Archives and History
    • Careers
  • Issues
    • Israel
    • BDS
    • Antisemitism
    • Radicalism & Extremism
    • Interreligious
    • Human Rights
  • Take Action
  • Global Forum
  • Support Our Work
    • Donate
    • Donor Recognition Societies
    • Planned Giving
  • Legal Information
    • Administrative Policies
    • Form 990
    • Impact and Financial Reports
  • Privacy Policy
  • Podcast
  • Contact Us
  • Global Offices
    • AJC Africa Institute
    • AJC Asia Pacific Institute
    • AJC Berlin Ramer Institute
    • AJC Paris
    • Shapiro Silverberg AJC Central Europe (Warsaw)
    • AJC Transatlantic Institute (Brussels)
    • Arthur and Rochelle Belfer Institute for Latino and Latin American Affairs
    • AJC Jerusalem
  • Foreign Language Websites
    • AJC Berlin (German)
    • AJC Español (Spanish)
    • AJC Paris (French)