The JCPA was established as the National Community Relations Advisory Council in 1944 by the Council of Jewish Federations, which later became part of the United Jewish Communities, now the Jewish Federations of North America. In the 1960s, it was renamed the National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council (NJCRAC). The group adopted its current name in 1997. Arnold Aronson was program director from 1945 to 1976. David L. Bernstein served as President and Chief Executive Officer since January 2016. The immediate past chair is Larry Gold of Atlanta, Georgia.