B’nai B’rith International is pleased to announce the appointment of Evan R. Bernstein as chief executive officer, effective Aug. 24.

Bernstein’s selection follows an extensive international search for a leader to guide the world’s oldest Jewish service organization. Bernstein succeeds Honorary CEO and Senior Advisor Daniel S. Mariaschin, who retired on June 30 after 27 years as CEO.

Bernstein joins B’nai B’rith after serving as the inaugural vice president of Community Relations at the Jewish Federations of North America. A respected leader in Jewish communal service, his career is defined by success in strategic planning, public affairs and philanthropic growth. He previously served as the first CEO and national director of Community Security Service (CSS), where he significantly expanded the organization’s national footprint and formalized volunteer security training protocols.

His distinguished background also includes serving as vice president of ADL’s Northeast Division where he led the merger of their New York and New Jersey offices. Bernstein was also on the ground working with federal and local leaders during the aftermath of the Jersey City Kosher Market shootings and the Monsey Hanukkah stabbing. In addition, Bernstein was the Arizona director for AIPAC and worked closely with elected officials including Sen. John McCain and Sen. Jon Kyl.

B’nai B’rith International President Robert Spitzer said:

“B’nai B’rith sought a leader with a deep understanding of the Jewish world and the vision to lead our next chapter. Evan Bernstein brings all of these qualities. His strategic mindset and ability to connect people around a shared mission make him exceptionally well-suited to ensure our organization continues to innovate and serve global Jewish communities.”

JFNA President and CEO Eric Fingerhut noted:

“Evan Bernstein is a deeply respected leader whose commitment to the Jewish people, Israel and the values that unite our community has been evident throughout his career, most recently in his role advancing Community Relations in the Jewish Federations system. B’nai B’rith has played a vital role in Jewish communal life for more than 180 years, and I can think of no one better suited to lead this historic organization into its next chapter. On behalf of Jewish Federations of North America, I congratulate Evan on this well-deserved opportunity and look forward to continuing to work together on behalf of the Jewish people, Israel and communities around the world.”

William Daroff, the CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, said:

“Evan Bernstein is an outstanding choice to lead B’nai B’rith International. Throughout his distinguished career, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership, broad communal experience and an unwavering commitment to the Jewish people. For nearly a decade, I have known and worked with Evan. I have watched him build partnerships, strengthen institutions and bring people together to advance our community’s most important priorities. He succeeds Dan Mariaschin, whose decades of principled leadership strengthened B’nai B’rith and benefited the entire Jewish community. As the world’s oldest Jewish service organization and a founding member and longtime leader within the Conference of Presidents, B’nai B’rith International has helped shape organized Jewish life for more than 180 years. I look forward to working with Evan as he builds on that extraordinary legacy.”

Bernstein said:

“I am honored to join B’nai B’rith International, one of the most historic and respected Jewish organizations in the world. I intend to build on our past while strategically assessing the organization and partnering with key stakeholders to ensure B’nai B’rith grows and succeeds for decades to come. We must find new ways to engage the next generation—especially at this critical moment for Jews globally—and I look forward to leading that effort alongside our volunteers, staff and supporters.”

Bernstein earned a Master of Liberal Arts with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from Harvard University—where he served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors from 2019 to 2023—and a Bachelor of Arts from Western Connecticut State University, where he played lacrosse.