Dear Friends,
Over the past six years, the Rabbinical Assembly and United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism have had the unique opportunity to operate under shared leadership. With steady and thoughtful guidance from Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal, we have navigated the challenges of the COVID pandemic, the October 7 attacks, and the rise in antisemitism, while emerging stronger, more aligned, and better positioned for the future.
With these foundations in place, this is the right moment to return to a model of distinct, full-time leadership for each organization. Effective July 1, Rabbi Blumenthal will continue in his role as CEO of the Rabbinical Assembly. USCJ has started a search for its next Chief Executive Officer.
The timing for this transition aligns with USCJ’s approval of a strategic plan, shaped by Rabbi Blumenthal’s incredible insight into the current and future needs of our communities, and his ability to envision what’s possible. As USCJ begins implementing the plan and searches for a full-time CEO, our skilled and dedicated professional staff will provide continuity for member congregations and constituents.
During his tenure, Rabbi Blumenthal has led the Conservative/Masorti Movement in supporting congregations and their leaders, re-envisioning USY and creating YALA, expanding our digital reach through ExploringJudaism.org, which has reached hundreds of thousands of people to date. We have continued our efforts to support and welcome intermarried families, held a powerful Movement-wide convening in 2023 with global participation, and are planning another one with five Movement partners in December 2027. And last year, our Movement’s MERCAZ slate received unprecedented support in the World Zionist Congress elections, reflecting a growing sense of shared purpose across our institutions and membership.
As Rabbi Blumenthal writes in the message below, our organizations have established a sense of partnership that will remain strong moving forward. This joint work evokes the words of Kohelet (Ecclesiastes 4:9): טובים השניים מן האחד — “Two are even better than one.” Rabbi Blumenthal brought that insight to life, bringing our institutions into closer alignment and strengthening our Movement in lasting ways.
USCJ has established a search committee, which has already begun its work. And the Rabbinical Assembly looks forward to updating our focus to respond to the unique needs of this moment.
Together, we will continue to build a Conservative/Masorti Movement that is rooted in tradition and halakhah, responsive to our time, supportive of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, and committed to helping individuals, families, and communities thrive and lead joyful Jewish lives throughout the world.
With appreciation and confidence in what lies ahead,
Eliot Meadow
President, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Rabbi Gesa S. Ederberg
President, Rabbinical Assembly
Dear Friends:
As I prepare to return full-time to the Rabbinical Assembly on July 1, I am reflecting on what an honor and joy it has been to serve as CEO of both the Rabbinical Assembly and USCJ for the past six years.
I want to thank our incredible staff at both organizations, along with our lay leaders, clergy and congregations, movement organizational partners, and generous funders. Each one of you drove our success and you have been, in every way, a source of incredible personal and professional support.
The Jewish people and the world at large need our Movement’s balanced, evolving, and joyful approach to Torah and Jewish life. From the outset, our goal through this partnership has been to strengthen and grow our Movement. Even in a period of tremendous challenges, we have connected and supported our rabbis globally, strengthened our synagogues and their leaders in North America, created new programs and grown our reach. Moreover, we have instituted the centrality of partnership – among clergy, synagogue professionals, and lay leaders, and our many Movement institutions.
That success leads to this moment of transition. USCJ is poised to implement its new strategic plan, raise needed funds, and deepen relationships with congregations and stakeholders. The RA will deepen its work supporting and connecting rabbis in all professional tracks, broaden its global reach, and expand its publications.
And together, both organizations will continue to strengthen our movement in North America and beyond. We are continuing to build our new center for public policy, develop an Israel engagement initiative, implement the recommendations of the joint Intermarriage Working Group, deepen the breadth and depth of online engagement through ExploringJudaism.org, and plan for our 2027 Movement-wide Convening. Such projects were barely conceivable six years ago, and I know they will thrive, along with initiatives we have yet to imagine!
Hazak, hazak, v’nit’hazek – we recite these words when we complete the public reading of each book of the Torah, knowing that the end of our study of one book leads to the next learning adventure. So too in the work of our organizations! I look forward to working with all our partners to continue strengthening our clergy, professionals, and leaders to broaden and deepen our Movement’s impact.
Warm regards,
Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal
