Rabbi Mark Diamond, the executive director of the American Jewish Committee Los Angeles (AJCLA), announced Jan. 9 that he will step down at the end of February as AJCLA’s top professional. Diamond said he plans to “pursue other professional and personal opportunities.”
“I write this letter with mixed emotions to announce my resignation as director of the [AJC] Los Angeles region,” Diamond wrote in an email to AJCLA members. “I have decided to pursue other professional and personal opportunities as I embark on a new chapter in my career.
“Please be assured of my continued leadership and assistance in performing the full range of my duties. Moving forward, I am committed to a smooth transition and full support of AJC’s projects and programs in the Los Angeles region.”
Diamond, who does not specify where he will serve next, was not immediately available for comment. His final day is Feb. 27.
Diamond took over at AJCLA in late 2012 after 12 years as the professional leading the Board of Rabbis of Southern California. At AJCLA, he replaced Seth Brysk, who was leaving to lead the San Francisco chapter of the Anti-Defamation League.
During his time at AJCLA, Diamond prioritized forging interfaith partnerships, advancing progressive domestic policies and supporting Israel.
An outspoken supporter for a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants in the United States, Diamond took part in a delegation in 2013 that met with high-level Homeland Security officials at the United States-Mexico border.
Diamond worked to support pro-Israel students on college campuses, particularly at UCLA, where students have been fighting Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions controversy for some time.
The AJC is a global advocacy organization. Its chapters, which are located all over the world, focus on a range of international and domestic issues, including challenges facing Israel, immigration, energy conservation and more.
A successor for Diamond has not yet been named.
