April 8 (Kingston, NY) – The Jewish Federation of Ulster County today announced David Drimer as the new Executive Director (ED), according to UCJF board president Rondavid Gold. He started full time in the position April 1.
Drimer is a former national executive director of the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), the oldest pro-Israel organization in the U.S., and former associate publisher and general manager of the Forward, the historic national Jewish newspaper. He is also the co-founder of National Holocaust Awareness Institute (NHAIonline.org), a start-up not-for-profit established to address widespread ignorance of the Holocaust among the Millennial, Gen Z, and younger generations.
Drimer held C-level positions at domestic and international not-for-profit and for-profit enterprises, both large and small. His teams have been honored with numerous awards, including three Webby’s in a row (“The Oscars of the Internet,” NY Times) and three Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Silver Anvil Awards for new product introduction, among numerous others. He had been a publisher, marketing executive, and creative director in both the Economist Group and Knight-Ridder newspapers for many years.
Drimer received a BA and MBA from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL, where he also served as assistant director of admissions. He served on the audit committee of the World Jewish Congress (WJC) and the board of directors of the Deadline Club (NY chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists). He was chairman of the board of the Global Press Institute.
Drimer points to the increasing population influx in Ulster County due to the pandemic as one factor driving the Federation’s continued mission. “We perceive for many considering full or even part-time residency in our County, a safe environment with a solid Jewish infrastructure will be a factor in relocating here. UCJF will continue as it always has in joining with synagogues, social service agencies, schools, and other not-for-profits to ensure that Ulster becomes ever more synonymous with the idea, ‘Ulster is a great Jewish place to live,’” he said.
Another area of focus is what Drimer characterized as, “a disturbing lack of knowledge among the Millennial demographic across the country on the scope, origins and horror of the Holocaust.”
“Research reveals this key demographic – now more than half the U.S. Population – possesses little essential knowledge of the scope, horror, and origins of the Holocaust. According to a widely publicized poll, younger Americans are sadly ill-informed on this subject. 44% of Millennials in the U.S. can neither adequately explain the Holocaust nor identify what “Auschwitz” is, and they believe Hitler came to power through force. 50% of Americans believe only two to three million Jews died,” he noted. It is universally accepted that roughly 6 million Jews died in Nazi death camps.
“’Never again’ begins with adequate education. It is painfully obvious that this essential task has been startlingly neglected in our schools. Some states have already passed legislation mandating Holocaust education. UCJF is actively weighing how to address this phenomenon. Soon, we hope to announce a robust initiative to answer the challenge,” he added.
For more information about the Jewish Federation of Ulster County, call 845-338-8131 or visit www.ucjf.org.
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The Jewish Federation of Ulster County, Inc., (UCJF) founded in 1979, has earned a reputation as a trusted, effective charity that makes a positive contribution locally and abroad. Governed by a volunteer board of 20 dedicated area residents, our Federation is a caring compassionate community committed to taking care of each other and celebrating Jewish life and values. It is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit registered in the State of New York.
PHOTO CUTLINE: David Drimer, the newly-named executive director of the Jewish Federation of Ulster County (UCJF), was formerly the national executive director of the Zionist Organization of America, associate publisher of the Forward, the historic Jewish newspaper, and cofounder of the National Holocaust Awareness Initiative.
