FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 25, 2025
Rabbinical Assembly Names Director of New Public Policy Center at Pivotal Moment for Jewish Life
Center will approach urgent social and policy challenges from the Conservative/Masorti perspective, rooted in Jewish values and tradition
New York, NY — In a major milestone towards establishing a centrist public policy institute that is focused on crucial societal issues, the Rabbinical Assembly (RA) has appointed Emily Jaeger to lead the initiative. This work is made possible by an anonymous $3 million bequest to the RA, which represents more than 1,600 Conservative/Masorti Movement rabbis around the world.
Jaeger began earlier this month as Founding Director of the Movement’s Social Justice and Public Policy Center. She brings more than a decade of experience at the intersection of Jewish life, community organizing, and public policy. Previously leading the RA’s communications efforts, Jaeger in recent years has helped shape the organization’s initial public policy vision and Israel solidarity campaigns.
“This marks a pivotal step in the growth of our Movement’s public voice,” said Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal, chief executive officer of both the Rabbinical Assembly and United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ). “Emily has a rare combination of strategic vision, grassroots experience, and deep commitment to the vision of Conservative/Masorti Judaism that makes her ideal to lead our new Center.”
The RA and the Conservative/Masorti Movement recognize that today's unprecedented challenges — and political divisions — require a voice in the public policy arena that blends Jewish tradition and Torah with modern ideals and the pursuit of justice.
“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,” said Jaeger. “I am honored to help launch this new Center—to translate btzelem elohim–seeing every person as a reflection of God–holy, worthy of dignity, and deserving of a good life–into real-world change."
Through education, advocacy, and government relations, the Center will seek pragmatic solutions that have tangible impacts on critical issues facing the Jewish community, nation, and world. These include combating antisemitism, promoting equity, stewarding the environment, and strengthening democracy.
The Center will fiercely support Israel as a democratic and secure Jewish state that welcomes religious pluralism, protects all its citizens, and pursues peaceful coexistence with its neighbors.
Over the next year, the Center will respond rapidly to pressing events, while building the infrastructure for long-term effectiveness and sustainability that will be fully launched within three years.
In addition to her work at the Rabbinical Assembly, Jaeger has collaborated with the College of Southern Nevada to design educational development programs with partners across Latin America and Oceania. She was awarded an Olive B. O’Connor fellowship at Colgate University and is an alumna of the Peace Corps and PresenTense (now Upstart), a growth accelerator for innovative ideas in the Jewish community.