Rich Goldberg
Rich Goldberg is a proud defender of Israel and the United States, and that's not hyperbole; as Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative Affairs for Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner and former Deputy COS to Senator Mark Kirk, Goldberg has helped advanced a number of initiatives to protect and benefit Israel and serves as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve.
In 2008, Goldberg spearheaded the deployment of X-Band missile defense radar to Israel and later played an integral role in the passage of economic sanctions against the Central Bank of Iran. This spring he helped Illinois become the first state to pass binding legislation countering the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel.
Goldberg is a board member of AJC Chicago and a regional governor of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity, for which he serves as the representative on Iran to the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations.
Age:
31
Primary gig:
Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative Affairs for Governor Bruce Rauner
On the side:
Navy Reserve Intelligence Officer and Master’s student at Northwestern University
Relationship status:
In a serious relationship
Celebrity doppelganger/who would play you in a movie:
The “did you know you look like” I get most in lobbies and elevators is John Cusack.
How do you Jew in Chicago?
Anshe Shalom for shul; hosting Shabbat meals for friends; and Jewish organization young professional events for fun.
Chicago's Jewish community in 10 years:
A community that remains united in strong bipartisan support of the U.S.-Israel relationship and continues to lead the global fight against anti-Semitism. The choices young leaders make today – and our willingness to speak clearly now – will decide the future we create.
