ADL’s Mountain States Region is delighted to introduce Jacob Brown, who recently joined the team as a development assistant.
How did you first become involved in ADL? How are you involved now?
My first interaction with ADL was while I was in high school. I was very involved in both my chapter and my region of BBYO (B’nai Brith Youth Organization). A presenter from ADL who was actively involved in my region of BBYO when he was in high school participated in a BBYO conference I attended. His excellent presentation informed my original understanding of ADL’s role in the international Jewish community as well as local communities around the country. In August, I moved to Denver from Washington, DC without a job lined up and was fortunate enough to learn about the open Development Assistant position for which I was ultimately hired.
What do you do in your professional life?
I was hired as the Development Assistant with the ADL Mountain States Region in mid-September to handle some of the administrative work in the office as well as support the Development Department hit our end of year fundraising goals.
I also have begun volunteering for several organizations including Sun Valley Kitchen & Community Center that provides no cost groceries to the community, after-school tutoring as well as music, art and dance lessons to local kids, and many other amazing programs for the Sun Valley community. I have also offered to get involved with evaluating and reporting for a grant opportunity, in which the Kitchen will become a Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) retailer for the many neighborhood residents who qualify for the program.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A good father and a Senator
Where were you born? From where do your ancestors hail?
I was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, but spent my first few years in Amherst, Massachusetts until my family settled down in Rockville, Maryland (just outside of Washington, DC). On my mother’s side, my family hails from Poland and Ukraine. On my father’s side, my family hails from Hungary, The Czech Republic, Wales and the French Basque region.
What’s your favorite holiday?
My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. It gives me a chance to reflect on the year as well as gives me some perspective on how lucky and privileged I am.
What’s your favorite food?
Beef Bourguignon
What are you reading?
I am currently reading three books: A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn; History of Cyrus the Great by Jacob Abbott; and In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson.
What’s a special place you have visited?
The Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam
What teacher or class stands out to you the most in your education and why?
A course on Identity and Conflict. I became involved in a research project called the “All Minorities at Risk” Project in college in which we digitally mapped minorities at risk around the world.
What are you passionate about personally? What can’t you stop talking about?
I am very passionate about refugees and vulnerable populations. And, along with history, my other nerdy obsession is astronomy!
Where can we find you when you’re not working?
At home reading a book or playing basketball
What would be impossible for you to give up?
Fine cheeses
If you had to teach something, what would you teach?
Ancient/Classical Political Theory, Medieval European History or 19th Century European History
Complete this sentence: For me, the ADL is …
Immensely impactful. I feel so lucky to be a part of this organization, returning a bit to my Jewish roots and learning more about the difference ADL makes here in the mountain states region and worldwide in such a scary time.