Adam Dawson appointed Chair of Trustees at the National Holocaust Museum

The UK’s National Holocaust Museum has appointed a new chair of trustees, expressing how they are looking forward to working with him to combat the “educational emergency” of anti-Jewish racism. 

Adam Dawson, who has worked in key Jewish communal roles for three decades, received an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List in June for services to charity and the Jewish community. He will step down from the Jewish Care Trustee Board and the Mental Health Committee in January, following nearly seven years of service, including five years as Chair of Jami.

Marc Cave, director of the National Holocaust Museum, said: “I’m very much looking forward to working with Adam. In our 30th Anniversary year, there is a huge amount to build on, and we must. The conspiracy thinking at the heart of anti-Jewish racism, and which led to the Holocaust, is rampant again in society. Using critical thinking to address it is an educational emergency.”

Announcing his move from Jewish Care and Jami, Dawson said: “This has been an amazing, invigorating, and incredible 7-year journey. While the job is never truly done, I feel now is the right time to step away and welcome new voices and ideas to the Jewish Care and Jami table. Refreshing charity boards is vital to keeping our work dynamic and forward-thinking.”

Chair of Jewish Care, Marcus Sperber added: “We are deeply grateful to Adam for his leadership and contribution to Jewish Care over the past seven years. His vision, energy and commitment have left a lasting mark on our community, and we are excited to see the impact he will have in his new role.”

Henry Grunwald, outgoing chair of the National Holocaust Museum said: “I am so pleased that the NHM has appointed Adam as the new Chair. I have known him both professionally and communally for many years and am confident that he is the right person to lead the NHM into the future. I wish him every success in his new role.”

Dawson played a key role in the strategic review and the successful merger of Jewish Care and Jami and spearheaded the launch of the Child and Young Persons project – an initiative that now supports more than 100 children and families and operates from three Jewish secondary schools.