In June 1986, Malcolm Hoenlein was elected CEO/Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the central coordinating body on international and national concerns for 50 national Jewish organizations. He was the founding Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater New York, and earlier he was the founding Executive Director of the Greater New York Conference on Soviet Jewry.
Malcolm Hoenlein received his B.A. in Political Science from Temple University and completed his Masters degree and PhD course work at the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of International Relations. A National Defense Fellow in the University’s Near East Center, Mr. Hoenlein taught International Relations in the Political Science Department and served as a Middle East specialist at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. In addition, he served on the editorial staff of ORBIS, the Journal of International Affairs.
Mr. Hoenlein has traveled across the globe meeting with top world leaders, heads of Jewish communities, business leaders and opinion molders. He has written widely and lectured across the U.S. and abroad.
Mr. Hoenlein serves as an advisor to numerous national public officials and is frequently consulted on public policy issues. He appears regularly in the media. In addition, he co-hosts and appears weekly on the nationally syndicated John Batchelor Show on the ABC radio network heard around the U.S. and in many foreign countries. He also does a weekly commentary on the “JM in the AM” radio show.
Mr. Hoenlein has been the recipient of many awards and tributes. Among them, a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Temple University, Doctorate of Humane Letters (HC) from Yeshiva University, a Doctorate of Laws (HC) from Touro University, a Doctorate of Philosophy (HC) from Bar-Ilan University, an Honorary Fellow of the Jerusalem College of Technology, Honorary Fellow of the Ruppin Academic Center. He also received many honors, including State of Israel Bonds, the Private Sector Initiative Award from President Ronald Reagan, American ORT special “Man of the Millennium” Tribute, the first Quittman Award for Jewish Professional Excellence, the Henrietta Szold Award from Hadassah, Partners for Democracy Award from the American-Israel Friendship League, Millender Fellow at Brandeis University, the Henry M. Jackson medal, the Jack D. Weiler Award for Jewish Communal Service, and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations National Service Award.
He received numerous recognitions from foreign governments, including the highest civilian decoration from His Majesty, King Mohammad VI of Morocco. The Mayor of Jerusalem and the City Council designated Mr. Hoenlein recipient of the city’s highest tribute, the “Neeman Yerushalayim” (Trustee of Jerusalem) award. He was awarded the 2017 Begin Prize from the Menachem Begin Heritage Center. He was the recipient of the Guardian of Zion award from the I. Rennert Center of Bar-Ilan University, and the Defender of Jerusalem award from Israeli Prime Minister Shamir. Mr. Hoenlein was appointed by three American Presidents as a U.S. delegate to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and participated in several Presidential delegations. He served on the New York State Ethical Standards Board. He was appointed by NY State Governor Cuomo as Co-Chairman of the NY-Israel Commission.
Mr. Hoenlein is associated with and serves on the boards of many communal, educational and civic organizations including the Council on Foreign Relations, the Council for a Secure America, the Secure Community Network, and on the boards of several companies.