Aaron Kaufman

Senior Manager of Legislative Affairs, Jewish Federations of North America

Aaron Kaufman joined the Jewish Federations of North America’s Washington, D.C. office in January 2016, where he serves as Senior Manager of Legislative Affairs. He focuses on disability and poverty issues.

Aaron came to JFNA from The Arc Maryland, where he lobbied members of the Maryland General Assembly and the Maryland Congressional delegation on issues affecting Marylanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. He previously worked in the offices of then-Congressman (now Senator) Chris Van Hollen and former Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN), as well as the Easter Seals Office of Public Affairs.

In addition to his work at JFNA, Aaron is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, where he serves on the Judiciary Committee. Having Cerebral Palsy, he feels he brings a unique perspective to both his legislative work and JFNA’s advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities. Outside of his advocacy roles, he has served as an instructor in Project SEARCH Montgomery, a job-training program for young adults with significant disabilities.

Aaron graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a B.A. in American Studies and several academic honors. He is the former Vice Chair of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council and has served on the board of the National Association of Developmental Disabilities Councils.

Outside of work, Aaron enjoys following D.C. sports teams and is passionate about politics, movies, live theater, museums, travel, and reading non-fiction books.