The American Jewish Historical Society (AJHS) is proud to announce the appointment of two new members to its Board of Trustees: Lisa Pearl, JD, PhD, Head of U.S. Content and Philanthropic Initiatives at Ancestry, and Roy Schwartz, Chief Marketing Officer at Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP and an acclaimed pop culture historian.
Their appointments underscore AJHS’s continued commitment to preserving and amplifying American Jewish voices, history, and cultural impact in the United States and beyond.
“We are honored to welcome Dr. Pearl and Mr. Schwartz to the AJHS Board of Trustees,” said Gemma Birnbaum, Executive Director, American Jewish Historical Society. “Their deep experience in cultural preservation, institutional leadership, and strategic communications will bring valuable insight to the Board as we continue to strengthen the Society’s programs, partnerships, and long-term impact.”
Lisa Pearl, JD, PhD, oversees U.S. content and philanthropic initiatives at Ancestry, leading partnerships with cultural institutions and efforts to preserve at-risk histories. A Holocaust and World War II historian, she previously directed international research and award-winning public-private programs at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Dr. Pearl also served on President Clinton’s Commission on Holocaust Assets and recently completed six years of service as a member of the Board of Trustees of the National World War II Museum. She holds a PhD in International History from the London School of Economics and a JD from Northeastern University.
“The American story is a tapestry woven from many threads. The American Jewish Historical Society’s focus on American Jewish history enriches this broader narrative, demonstrating the diverse experiences and contributions of different ethnic and religious groups in the United States. As a great-granddaughter of Jewish immigrants who came to this country in the early 20th century, this history is an integral part of my identity,” said Dr. Pearl.
Roy Schwartz is a strategic communications expert and Jewish cultural storyteller. As CMO at Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP, he leads firm-wide marketing while remaining active as a writer, curator, and commentator. He is the author of the bestselling Is Superman Circumcised? The Complete Jewish History of the World’s Greatest Hero, and has contributed to CNN, The Forward, Tablet, and more. Schwartz co-curated the 2023 JewCE: The Jewish Comics Experience at the Center for Jewish History, now touring internationally, and is co-producing upcoming projects for PBS and JLTV. A Tel Aviv native, he holds an interdisciplinary MA in English and Social Thought from NYU.
“I’m deeply honored and incredibly excited to join the AJHS Board of Trustees. AJHS’s mission to research, preserve, and share American Jewish history is more important than ever, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it. I hope that my skill and experience help AJHS reach new audiences, in and outside the Jewish community and across media, to illuminate the richness, diversity, pride, and joy of the American Jewish experience,” said Schwartz.
About the American Jewish Historical Society
The American Jewish Historical Society (AJHS) is the oldest ethnic, cultural archive in the United States. Founded in 1892, AJHS provides access to more than 30 million documents, artifacts, and photographs chronicling the Jewish experience in America. Through exhibitions, public programs, and research resources, AJHS preserves and shares the rich history of Jewish life in the United States. Visit ajhs.org to learn more and connect with us on Facebook Instagram and LinkedIn.
For media inquiries or to schedule a visit to explore the AJHS archives, please contact:
Alex Kofsky (alex@rosengrouppr.com).
