Shalom hevreh,
I am delighted to share an important milestone for USCJ, the Rabbinical Assembly, and our Movement. Earlier this month, we welcomed Emily Jaeger as the Founding Director of a new center we are developing dedicated to public policy.
The Social Justice and Public Policy Center, made possible through generous seed funding from a $3 million bequest, represents a pivotal next step in amplifying our public voice. Housed at the RA and rooted in our Torah, it will bring our centrist, Conservative/Masorti perspective to some of the most urgent challenges facing Jewish life, our communities, and society at large.
Previously leading the RA’s communications efforts, Emily helped shape the RA’s public policy vision and Israel solidarity efforts. She also brings more than a decade of experience at the intersection of Jewish life, community organizing, and public policy, including designing educational development programs with partners across the United States, Latin America, and Oceania.
She now brings that same combination of strategic vision, grassroots experience, and deep commitment to Conservative/Masorti Judaism to this new role.
As Emily shared in her own words:
“In these polarized times, the Conservative/Masorti Movement has a unique role to play in reknitting our shared human vision and advancing it in the civic and legislative arenas. I am honored to help launch this new Center—to translate b’tzelem Elohim—seeing every person as a reflection of God, holy and worthy of dignity—into real-world change.”
The Center will focus on issues that matter deeply to us all: combating antisemitism, promoting equity, stewarding the environment, strengthening democracy, and supporting Israel as a pluralistic, democratic and secure Jewish state. In the coming year, Emily will begin responding to urgent events while building the foundation for a sustainable, fully launched Center within three years.
This is a moment of pride for all of us. Together, we are positioning our Movement to become an even more powerful force for justice, compassion, and Jewish leadership. I look forward to the ways this Center will serve as a resource for you and your communities, and I hope you will see it as a shared space to advance our mission.
L’Shalom
Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal
