RICHARD S. HIRSCHHAUT

Rick Hirschhaut was appointed Los Angeles Director of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) in September 2019. Hirschhaut is a longtime civil rights advocate and Jewish communal leader who has served in senior executive roles with the Anti-Defamation League, Illinois Holocaust Museum, and American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.   

Hirschhaut has worked to advance human rights and democratic values and promote the security and well-being of Jews and other vulnerable communities in the United States, Israel and around the world. He has led fact-finding missions to Ukraine, Ethiopia, Cuba and Israel, and spearheaded international efforts to mark the 20th Commemoration of the Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Hirschhaut led the creation of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, as its founding executive director from 2004-14. Under his leadership, the museum hosted heads of state and other dignitaries. In 2013 Hirschhaut received an Emmy Award as Co-Executive Producer of the nationally-broadcast documentary, Skokie: Invaded but Not Conquered.  

Hirschhaut also served with the Anti-Defamation League for 21 years, including a decade as Midwest director in Chicago. His work included building bridges between the African American and Jewish communities, and close cooperation with law enforcement on issues of anti-Semitism and extremism. 

Hirschhaut 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 studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He grew up in upstate New York and Knoxville, Tenn.