Aaron Kaufman

Aaron Kaufman joined The Jewish Federations of North America’s Washington DC office in January 2016. He is the Senior Manager of Legislative Affairs. He focuses on disability and poverty issues.  Aaron came from the Arc Maryland where he lobbied members of the Maryland General Assembly and the Maryland Congressional delegation on issues affecting Marylanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. He worked in the offices of then Congressman (now Senator) Chris Van Hollen and former Senator Evan Bayh as well as the Easter Seals Office of Public Affairs. In addition to working at JFNA, Aaron is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates where he serves on the Judiciary Committee. Having Cerebral Palsy, Aaron feels he brings a unique perspective to his work in the House of Delegates and JFNA’s efforts on behalf of people with disabilities. Outside of advocacy, he was the instructor in Project SEARCH Montgomery, a job-training program for young adults with significant disabilities. Aaron graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a BA in American Studies and with several honors. He is on the Executive Committee of the Jewish Foundation for Group Homes and is the former Vice Chair of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council.  He also served on the Board of the National Association of Developmental Disabilities Council as well as the Board of Disability Rights Maryland. He is on the Board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and former Board Member of the Union for Reform Judaism. Outside of work, Aaron enjoys following DC sports teams.  He is passionate about politics, enjoys movies, live theater, museum and travel as well as non-fiction books.