About The Solomon Project

Named after King Solomon and American Jewish patriot Chayim Solomon, The Solomon Project was founded in 1996 to educate the American Jewish community about its rich history of civic involvement.

The Solomon Project has worked towards this goal by fostering — particularly among young Jews —opportunities for discussion, education and engagement in the public policy arena...all from a uniquely Jewish perspective, and all to help achieve Tikkun Olam, or the repair of our society and the world around us.

Our theory is simple: If American Jews are familiar with their community’s past civic involvement, and if opportunities for renewed participation are made readily available, then this vital element of our culture is more likely to survive and thrive.

In 1998, The Solomon Project co-sponsored a successful two-day Domestic Issues Forum in Washington. This meeting brought together American Jews and leaders from across the political spectrum to examine the rise of social conservatism in America.

More recently, The Solomon Project has worked extensively to produce a groundbreaking book, Jews in American Politics, in which noted scholars review and analyze the rich tradition of Jewish engagement in American public life. And in the future, The Solomon Project will focus its efforts on educating American Jews about their heritage of involvement in American civic and political culture and providing them with educational forums and opportunities for discourse and interaction with major public policy figures.

Leadership

William B. Dockser, President; Rockville, MD
Mr. Dockser has been Chairman of the Board and Founder of CRI Inc. since 1974, and was founder and Chairman of the Board of CRIIMI MAE from 1989 to early 2003. CRI is one of the largest private owners of multi-family and commercial properties in the nation. Previously, Mr. Dockser served in various positions at HUD, culminating in the post of Deputy FHA Commissioner and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Housing Production and Mortgage Credit, where he was responsible for all federally insured housing production programs.

Mr. Dockser has long been active in industry, charitable and political activities and is currently Chairman of the Dockser Family Foundation. Mr. Dockser has also served as chairperson of numerous events on behalf of the American Heart Association and local metropolitan Washington, D.C. charities. He presently serves on the Board of Directors of the Jewish Social Service Agency of Metropolitan Washington and as an Associate Trustee, Suburban Hospital.

Board of Directors

S. David Fineman; Philadelphia, PA

Michael Levy; Washington, DC

Peter Kovler; Washington, DC

Elizabeth Schrayer; Rockville, MD

Charlotte Spitzer; Mercer Island, WA

David Steiner; Roseland, NJ

Staff

Ira N. Forman, Research Director
Mr. Forman has served as the founding staff member and Research Director of The Solomon Project since its inception in 1996, and was co-editor of The Solomon Project's book, "Jews in American Politics." He is also currently the Executive Director of the National Jewish Democratic Council. A veteran of more than thirty years of political activity at the local, state and national levels, Mr. Forman served from 1993-1996 as the Director of Congressional Relations for the US government's Office of Personnel Management.