About Us: Staff

Laura Cohen Apelbaum, Executive Director

Email: laura@jhsgw.org

Laura is a native of the Washington area and has been Executive Director of the Society since 1994. Her work has centered on preservation of the 1876 historic synagogue, building the community’s archives, expanding the Society’s school and family programs, and outreach in the community.

Previously she worked as an attorney for both the local and the federal government. She has a Masters in Taxation from Georgetown University, a law degree from George Washington University, and a Bachelors degree in American History from Duke University.

Read Laura's Insider's Guide to Washington DC for Cultural Tourism DC.

David McKenzie, Interpretive Programs Manager

Email: dmckenzie@jhsgw.org
Contact for assistance with:

• Student and adult programs (walking tours, exhibition tours, museum programs, living history shows, etc.)
• Tours of the 1876 synagogue
• JHSGW traveling exhibitions

David has worked for the Society for 2008. He holds a B.A. in History and Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh, and an M.A. in Museum Studies, with concentrations in history and exhibition development, from George Washington University. He is currently serving on the program committee for the Council of American Jewish Museums 2012 conference and is enrolled in the History Ph.D. program at George Mason University, studying U.S. history and digital history. He previously worked at The Design Minds, Inc.

Kristen Pierce, Administrative Coordinator

Email: kpierce@jhsgw.org
Contact for assistance with:

• Membership
• Contributions
• Vendor or other administrative matters
• Renting the historic synagogue for events

Kristen holds a B.S. in Business Management with minors in International Business and Spanish Language from Penn State University. She previously worked in the luxury hotel industry.

Wendy Turman, Archivist

Email: wendy@jhsgw.org
Contact for assistance with:

• Donations of items to the archives
• Questions about Washington Jewish history

Wendy has worked at the Society since 2000. She has a Masters in Museum Studies from George Washington University and a Bachelors degree in History from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She previously worked at the National Museum of Health and Medicine and at the Smithsonian Institution.

Claire Uziel, Assistant Archivist

Email: claire@jhsgw.org
Contact for assistance with:

• Archival research
• Website

Claire has worked at the Society since 2005. She holds a Masters in Library Science from the University of Maryland and a Bachelors degree in Sociology with a minor in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies from Brandeis University.