JCUA’s Executive Director Jessica Schaffer will be departing next month to begin an exciting new role as the Great Lakes Regional Director for the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW). While we will deeply miss Jessica’s leadership, we’re proud that she is continuing her advocacy within the Jewish social justice ecosystem and look forward to continued collaboration toward a more just Chicagoland.

Anna Rubin, JCUA’s Senior Director of Programs, will serve as Interim Executive Director during this transition. Anna has been a pillar of JCUA since 2015. Her deep institutional knowledge, relationships with partners, and unwavering commitment to our mission make her an ideal leader to guide JCUA through this next chapter. With Anna’s leadership and the engagement of our tremendous staff, Board, members, and partners, JCUA’s organizing, education, and community-building carries on with full strength and momentum.

Jessica Schaffer, Outgoing Executive Director: “It has been an honor to lead JCUA during this extraordinary time. This community shows up every day with compassion, commitment, and bravery, and organizes with conviction to build a city and state where everyone can thrive. I know that with Anna at the helm, JCUA’s staff, members, and supporters will continue to meet this moment with courage, and with deep care for one another. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to experience the power of this community first-hand.”

Anna Rubin, Interim Executive Director: “I am grateful to Jessica for stewarding JCUA so gracefully and effectively for the past year and a half. It has been a true pleasure to work with her in this capacity, and I am looking forward to supporting JCUA in moving into our next phase with power and renewed vision and clarity.”

Cydney Wallace, Board President: “I would like to thank Jessica for leading JCUA with grace, wisdom, and compassion. I’m proud of our partnership and all we have accomplished together as an organization in recent years. I’m excited to work with Anna Rubin in the interim role, as we embark on the search for our next permanent Executive Director while sustaining JCUA as a vital hub for Jewish social justice across Illinois.”

JCUA’s Board of Directors will soon begin a comprehensive search for our next permanent Executive Director. We’re committed to a thoughtful and transparent process and will share more information as it becomes available.

Thank you for making our work possible, especially in this critical moment for our city, state, and country. We’re grateful to be in this work together.