DIRECTOR, RABBI ARI (BALLABAN) JUN

 

Rabbi Ari (Ballaban) Jun is a respected spiritual leader, scholar, and community activist. As the son of two rabbis, Rabbi Jun was born and raised in a vibrant Jewish household, and from a young age he developed a deep passion for Judaism and serving others.

 

Trained in advanced religious studies and equipped with a compassionate heart, Jun has dedicated his life to guiding and inspiring individuals on their spiritual and cultural journeys. With a warm and engaging personality, he has a unique ability to connect with people of all backgrounds, fostering a sense of belonging and understanding within the communities he serves.

 

As the director of Cincinnati’s Jewish Community Relations Council, Rabbi Jun’s devotion to social justice and tikkun olam (repairing the world) are evident in his tireless efforts to address pressing issues and create positive change. He firmly believes in the power of education and has established various initiatives to share with individuals the knowledge and skills they need to improve their lives and communities. He promotes the value of inclusivity, and he advocates on behalf of the Jewish community and other marginalized groups. Likewise, he actively engages in interfaith dialogue and is known for his passion for interfaith collaboration and community building.

 

He lives in Cincinnati with his wife Hara and their two cats, near to many other family members who are lifelong Cincinnatians. 

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, JEREMY SPIEGEL

 

Jeremy’s passion for creating Jewish community and making a more equitable world for all, align in his role as Assistant Director of the JCRC.

 

Jeremy is a Cincinnati native excited to be returning home and joining the JCRC team. After graduating from Sycamore High School, Jeremy attended the University of Maryland where he graduated with a double degree in Journalism and History. Following college, Jeremy taught English and American culture at a Bilingual Secondary School in Madrid Spain, where he developed his passion for teaching, learning about other cultures, and traveling. Jeremy comes to the JCRC team after five years at Hillel at the University of Illinois, where he empowered Jewish student leaders to take control of their Jewish experience in college and worked with university and community partners to better Jewish life on campus. Following his work at UI, Jeremy spent two years as the Youth Engagement Director at Congregation Beth Tikvah in Columbus. Jeremy earned his master's degree in Jewish Professional Studies from the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership in May.

 

When he is not working, you can probably find Jeremy hiking, exploring local bookstores, adding to the list of new countries and states he has visited, or commiserating over the latest Cincinnati sports heartbreak. 

PRESIDENT, BEN SCHNEIDER

 

Benjamin Schneider is a longstanding board member and volunteer with JCRC, elected President in 2023. Schneider has been an officer and board member with Rockwern Academy, Big Brothers, Big Sisters Association of Cincinnati, and is a founding member of Congregation Sha Arei Torah. 

 

Schneider has held several leadership positions on various committees and cabinets within the Jewish Federation of North America. Schneider is the general counsel for Dov Limited, a position he has held since 2006, where he is primarily focused on compliance, contract management, leasing and finance.  


Schneider earned his B.A. in Political Science and Economics from Miami University and his J.D., Cum Laude from the Salmon P Chase College of Law. He is married to Dr. Ronna Schneider and they have four children and several dogs.

JCRC Executive Committee

 

PRESIDENT

Ben Schneider

VICE PRESIDENT Greg Miller
VICE PRESIDENT Sherri Goren Slovin
VICE PRESIDENT Rebecca Zemmelman
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Mark Barsman
PENULTIMATE PRESIDENT  Ronna Greff Schneider

JCRC BOARD MEMBERS

* Ex-officio Member

** Presidential Appointee

 

Nathan Bachrach

Mickey Fishman

Michelle Kohn **

Jenna Shaifer

Rabbi Robert Barr

Ben Glassman

Julie Leftwich

Matthew Slovin

Josh Blatt *

Gary Greenberg **

Debbie Lempert

Kayla Soroka

Karen Brownlee

Drew Hiudt

Maytal Levi

Walter Spiegel

Rabbi Rand Burke

Dani Isaacsohn

Danielle V. Minson *

Rabbi Miriam Terlinchamp

Leo D'Cruz

Julie Jacobson-Ruby

Yarden Neeman *

Amy Susskind Weiskopf

Mark Dowd *

Mark Kanter

Rebecca Sanders

Ryan Williams

Motti Edelstein

Rachel Kaplan

Ian Sarembock

Jazz Wolk

Bobby Fisher

Jennifer Kates Seth Schwartz Rabbi Gary P. Zola *

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rabbi Ari (Ballaban) Jun

Director

513-203-8553 

aballaban@jfedcin.org 

Jeremy Spiegel
Assistant Director
513-543-4524

jspiegel@jfedcin.org

Sarah Wiethe

Executive Assistant

513-985-1581

swiethe@jfedcin.org