The Queens Jewish Community Council (QJCC) has appointed Diana Rachnaev — a pillar of the Bukharian Jewish community and one of its most accomplished women in civic life — as its new Executive Director, placing a familiar and admired figure at the helm of one of the borough’s most influential Jewish institutions — an umbrella organization uniting more than 130 Jewish groups that together serve hundreds of thousands of Queens residents.
Rachnaev succeeds Mayer Waxman, who led QJCC as executive director for nearly five years, and becomes only the fifth person to hold the role in the organization’s more than five decades.
For our community, the appointment carries a special resonance. QJCC has long served as a bridge to Queens’ Bukharian Jews — including as the local liaison connecting the community to citywide organizations such as the Met Council — which makes the choice of one of its own to lead the council especially meaningful. Rachnaev’s rise reflects both her own two decades of service and the growing prominence of Bukharian women in communal and civic leadership across Queens.
“Growing up in the Bukharian Jewish community gave me a strong appreciation for the importance of preserving traditions, supporting one another, and building meaningful connections across generations,” Rachnaev told The Bukharian Times. Those values, she said, have guided her throughout her life and career.
Rachnaev brings more than 20 years of experience serving Queens. Her foundation was shaped over 12 years at Ohel, where she worked in human services and program leadership, supporting individuals and families. Most recently she served as Community Outreach Coordinator for New York State Assemblywoman Nily Rozic, building partnerships with elected officials, nonprofits, faith leaders, and schools throughout the borough. She had earlier served as a community liaison to State Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr.
She is also co-founder of Yesodot, a culturally responsive nonprofit focused on mental health awareness, special needs support, domestic violence resources, and advocacy — work that connects grassroots communities with the services they need. Within the Bukharian community itself, she has also been active with the Bukharian Jewish Union and has long championed the institutions that preserve our heritage, including the Bukharian Jewish Museum. She serves on Community Board 6, where she co-chairs the Health, Mental Health and Substance Use Committee, and sits on the Jewish Advisory Council convened by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. She has also served as a Judicial Delegate for Assembly District 28.
Her leadership has already drawn wider recognition. In 2024, Rachnaev was honored as a “Power Woman of Queens” by Schneps Media at its annual celebration of the borough’s most influential women — and was the only Bukharian woman among the honorees. “It was a very big deal,” she said of the recognition, though, characteristically, she was quick to turn the spotlight toward Yesodot rather than herself. This year, she was also named a One Queens Fellow, joining a cohort of mid- to senior-level leaders drawn from the borough’s nonprofits, faith communities, and government agencies.
QJCC’s existing leaders welcomed the appointment. “Diana brings a unique combination of nonprofit leadership, community relationships, and a deep understanding of Queens,” said Hon. Barry Grodenchik, President of QJCC. “Her ability to bring people together and create meaningful partnerships will be a tremendous asset as QJCC continues to grow.”
“QJCC has always been about connecting people, organizations, and resources to strengthen our community,” said Zev S. Berman, Executive Vice President of QJCC, calling Rachnaev’s experience, leadership, and commitment to service “an excellent choice to help advance QJCC’s mission.”
As Executive Director, Rachnaev will focus on strengthening partnerships, expanding resources, advancing advocacy, and supporting fundraising, while continuing QJCC’s longstanding role as a central voice for the diverse Jewish communities of Queens.
She said she hopes to carry the lessons of her upbringing into the work ahead.
“I am proud of my roots and grateful for the experiences that have helped shape me as a community leader,” she said, “while continuing to build bridges and create opportunities for the diverse communities we serve.”
For many of us, Diana Rachnaev is more than a leader — she is a mentor and a friend. She took me under her wing, opening doors I never knew existed and sharing, with real warmth, the story of who Bukharians are today. To watch her rise to lead QJCC is a source of deep pride and a glimpse of everything still ahead. Mazal tov, Diana!
By Erin Levi
The Bukharian Times English Editor