Former State Department Executive Leads Israel Studies Program

Jessica Lieberman, a founding board member of Sela Public Charter School in Washington D.C., has been named director of Israel Studies and Partnerships for Hebrew Public.

In her new role, Lieberman is guiding and coordinating the Israel Studies curriculum, and overseeing a trip to Israel for middle school students. She will also develop Israel partnerships and alumni programming that provide students with access to Israel-related educational, cultural, and career opportunities as well as offer support in development of teacher and leadership pipelines for the Hebrew instruction program.

Lieberman has over 15 years of experience in human rights, intercultural exchange, and international affairs including in Israel. Prior to joining Hebrew Public, she was the deputy director for the office of global programming at the U.S. State Department, where she supervised a team of program officers responsible for managing over $100 million in grants to civil society organizations around the world.  She initially joined the State Department  in 2006 as American Association for the Advancement of Science science and policy fellow. Lieberman has worked for a number of human rights and non-governmental organizations in the Middle East and the United States, and has taught at George Washington University’s Elliot School of International Affairs.

Lieberman has a PhD in political science from George Washington University, an MA in law and diplomacy from the Fletcher School and is a graduate of Smith College. She speaks Hebrew, Spanish and some Arabic.