Submitted by Jewish Cemeteries of greater Cincinnati
Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati (JCGC) has named Jonathan “Jon” Chaiken of Amberley Village as its Interim Executive Director, effective the second week of August.
Chaiken takes on the role during a period of leadership transition for the organization, which provides dignified burials and maintains 25 local Jewish cemeteries throughout Greater Cincinnati.
Chaiken, who holds an MBA, brings nearly 30 years of business operations experience to JCGC. For more than 17 years, he served as General Manager and Owner of the Cincinnati-based Brookwood Group, a manufacturer and distributor of Schauer-brand battery chargers for the renewable energy marketplace. The company’s products served electric vehicles and equipment, including wheelchairs, golf carts and electric plant equipment.
Chaiken most recently served as Transition Manager Emeritus of the Brookwood Group Acquisition Company following his sale of the company to new ownership in 2023.
In announcing the appointment, JCGC Board President Marlene Ostrow emphasized Chaiken’s business experience as well as his extensive involvement in Cincinnati’s Jewish community.
Retired Wise Temple Rabbi Lewis Kemrass described Chaiken as a “smart, hard-working, dedicated strategic thinker,” adding that he had done “an exemplary job” running the Wise Temple Board of Trustees during his tenure as board president.
Chaiken is a graduate of Walnut Hills High School and has remained involved with his alma mater through its Alumni Foundation. He currently serves as Board Secretary of the Mayerson JCC and is the immediate Past President of the Plum Street Temple Historic Preservation Fund.
Ostrow said she had the opportunity to personally interview and recruit Chaiken for the position and expressed confidence in his ability to guide JCGC during the transition.
“In addition to his bringing fresh eyes and a new perspective to the Executive Director role, he is not afraid to get his hands dirty, literally and metaphorically, as our newest leader,” Ostrow wrote in a message to JCGC supporters.
She described Chaiken as someone with strong interpersonal and professional skills who could provide valuable leadership during the organization’s transition.
JCGC officials also sought to reassure community members that the change in leadership will not affect the organization’s core mission.
“Despite the change in leadership, Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati continues to fulfill its important mission of providing dignified burials and maintaining our 25 local Jewish Cemeteries,” Ostrow wrote.
Chaiken’s appointment adds another experienced Cincinnati Jewish community leader to an organization responsible for preserving and caring for the region’s Jewish cemeteries and ensuring that its burial responsibilities continue to be carried out with dignity and care.
