Hope Chernak Selected as MJCCA's New Chief Program Officer

The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) recently announced that Hope Chernak will be coming on board as its new Chief Program Officer on April 9, 2018. Hope has been a part of the MJCCA staff for the past year serving as the Executive Director of JUMPSPARK: the Atlanta Jewish Teen Initiative (AJTI). AJTI is a partnership program with the MJCCA, Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta (JFGA), and Atlanta Rabbinical Association (ARA).

“I am pleased to welcome Hope to her new capacity at the MJCCA,” said MJCCA CEO Jared Powers, “Hope’s combination of experience working within the Jewish community, her passion for sports, and her extensive background in Jewish education makes her a perfect fit for this position.”

“I am thrilled to accept this position as the Chief Program Officer of the MJCCA,” said Hope. “One of my primary objectives as incoming CPO is to enhance the MJCCA’s comprehensive array of programs and services, which includes building on the already exceptional outreach programming for the greater Atlanta community.”

Hope Chernak's Background

Prior to moving to Atlanta, Hope spent 15 years in New York City, serving as the Managing Director of the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) and as the Director of Youth and Informal Education & Israel Programs at Temple Shaaray Tefila. Hope grew up in Orlando, FL, and spent eight summers on staff at Camp Coleman. Her career in Jewish communal work began at age 16 at the Roth JCC of Greater Orlando as a day camp counselor.

Hope brings a unique enthusiasm for sports to this role as she was a collegiate athlete, receiving scholarships for basketball, soccer and cross-country. She earned a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Management and Marketing at Webber International University. She formalized her academic training earning an M.A. degree in Religious Education at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, and the title Reform Jewish Educator (RJE). Hope was a 2016 recipient of the Grinspoon North American Award for Excellence in Jewish Education.

About the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA)

Impacting more than 60,000 people annually, the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) is welcoming to people of all faiths, ages, and backgrounds. The MJCCA is committed to strengthening the quality of life in Atlanta and is recognized as one of the most highly-regarded Jewish community centers in the nation. Our NAEYC-accredited preschools, award-winning camps, outstanding cultural events, and invigorating sports and fitness programs engage and connect the community.

More Information

Media Inquiries, contact Lora Sommer at 678.812.4078 or lora.sommer@atlantajcc.org
For more information about the MJCCA, contact 678.812.4000, or atlantajcc.org. 

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