Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations vice chairman emeritus Malcolm Hoenlein discusses tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon on ‘The Claman Countdown.
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Early Life and Education
Malcolm Hoenlein was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1944. He earned his B.A. in Political Science from Temple University and completed his Master’s and doctoral coursework in International Relations at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was also a National Defense Fellow in the Near East Center. During his college years, he co-founded the North American Jewish Student Network (NAJSN), serving as its chairman, which was affiliated with the World Union of Jewish Students Wikipedia+1.
Career and Leadership
Hoenlein began his professional career in Jewish advocacy as the founding Executive Director of the Greater New York Conference on Soviet Jewry in 1971, coordinating efforts to support Soviet Jews. In 1976, he became the first Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater New York, a central coordinating body for Jewish organizations in the metropolitan area Wikipedia+1.
In June 1986, Hoenlein was elected Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, a coalition representing 52 national Jewish organizations. He held this position until 2019 and then became Vice Chairman Emeritus, continuing to influence U.S.-Israel advocacy and Jewish communal policy Wikipedia+2.
Hoenlein has also served as a Middle East specialist at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, taught international relations, and contributed to the editorial staff of Orbis, a journal of international affairs Wikipedia+1.
Advocacy and Public Engagement
Throughout his career, Hoenlein has been active in organizing major events, including the National Solidarity Rally for Israel in Washington, D.C., in 2002. He has advised public officials, met with world leaders, and frequently appears in media to discuss issues related to Israel, the Middle East, and Jewish communal affairs Wikipedia+2.
He has also held leadership and advisory roles in numerous organizations, including the Council on Foreign Relations, America-Israel Chamber of Commerce, Ronald S. Lauder Foundation, Bank Leumi USA, and Keryx Biopharmaceuticals Wikipedia+2.
Awards and Honors
Hoenlein has received numerous awards recognizing his contributions, including:
- Doctorate of Humane Letters (Honoris Causa) from Yeshiva University
- Doctorate of Laws (Honoris Causa) from Touro College
- State of Israel Bonds tribute for service to Israel
- Private Sector Initiative Award from President Ronald Reagan
- “Man of the Millennium” Tribute from American ORT
- Defender of Jerusalem Award
- Neeman Yerushalayim (Trustee of Jerusalem) award from the City of Jerusalem Wikipedia+2.
Current Roles
Hoenlein continues to serve as President of MH International Initiatives, Inc., Chairman of Abraham Spirit, Inc., and holds advisory positions with philanthropic and Jewish organizations, maintaining a focus on strengthening U.S.-Israel relations, countering antisemitism, and fostering coalition-building among Jewish organizations hoenlein.com+1.
Malcolm Hoenlein’s career spans over five decades, making him one of the most influential figures in American Jewish advocacy and international Jewish affairs ngoreport.org.


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