(DENVER) — JEWISHcolorado today named Brandon Rattiner as its new Senior Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), the public affairs arm of the Colorado Jewish community.
Rattiner comes to the JCRC from a career in law, most recently at Kaplan Kirsch LLP, where he focused on environmental and climate change issues. In this role, he helped clients achieve pioneering climate action in legislative chambers, agency rulemakings, judicial proceedings, and corporate boardrooms throughout the country.
“Brandon brings both a depth of experience in public policy but also a passion for playing a strong role in restoring the kind of political environment that enables Jewish communities to flourish,” said Renée Rockford, President & CEO of JEWISHcolorado.
“The need to create a healthier politics has never been clearer, and the Jewish community can help lead this effort. Our story is a testament to the importance of pluralism, freedom, and nuance—and a reminder that extremism and division harm us all. I am excited to help the JCRC bring our community together to meet this critical moment,” said Rattiner.
Before joining Kaplan Kirsch, Rattiner was an associate at Covington & Burling where he maintained a robust pro bono practice, including representing civil rights groups as part of a voter intimidation rapid response team during the 2020 election. He also served as a law clerk to the Honorable Carolyn McHugh on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.
Rattiner has extensive experience in government, politics, and advocacy. Prior to attending law school, he served as Senator Mark Udall’s Denver Metro Area Regional Director, and he led efforts to protect funding for land conservation at the Colorado General Assembly.
Rattiner also has a long history of leadership in the Jewish community. He has served on the JEWISHcolorado Board of Directors and on the JCRC as a lay leader, including as chair of the Education and Legislative Affairs Committee. Rattiner led Georgetown Law’s first iTrek trip to Israel, he has held leadership roles in Israel Policy Forum and the JCPA, and he is a former BBYO Grand Aleph Godol. Raised in Denver, Rattiner is an alumnus of JEWISHcolorado’s Joyce Zeff Israel Study Tour, JCC Ranch camp, and RMR BBYO.
Rattiner is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, and of Tufts University where he earned degrees in Political Science and Philosophy.
The JCRC has 38 member agencies and 18 at-large members representing different parts of the Jewish community. As an active force in civic and communal life, JCRC operates as a central coordinating and resource body to:
- Provide a communal space to cultivate understanding and joint action amongst diverse groups within the Colorado Jewish community
- Cultivate deeper relationships with the broader Colorado community to address critical issues and engender a shared society
- Ensure the security and safety of diverse minority communities throughout the state in the face of rising antisemitism, intolerance, and hate; and,
- Foster understanding and appreciation for the Jewish community’s relationship with Israel, and to increase knowledge, exposure, and support for Israel among diverse groups of Coloradans
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