Ruth W. Messinger

Former Manhattan Borough President | Global Human Rights Advocate | Social Justice Leader
Ruth W.
Messinger

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About

Ruth W. Messinger is a social justice activist, advocate, and consultant, focusing on leadership and moral courage within the Jewish and interfaith communities.

She served as President and CEO of American Jewish World Service (AJWS) from 1998 to 2016 and is now the organization’s Global Ambassador. In this role,Ruth continues her work engaging rabbis and other faith leaders to advocate for oppressed, persecuted and poor communities worldwide.

Under Ruth’s leadership, AJWS grew significantly, granting $270 million to promote human rights in the developing world. She launched impactful campaigns, including efforts to end the Darfur genocide, reform international foodaid, combat violence against women and LGBT people, fight land grabs, and respond to global natural disasters. Ruth also helped establish international service programs for young Jews and Jewish leaders.

Before joining AJWS, Ruth had a 20-year career in public service in New York City, including roles as a City Council member, Manhattan Borough President,and as the first Democratic candidate for Mayor.

Today, Ruth continues to mobilize faith leaders and communities across the U.S. to advance human rights and advocate for social change. She also teaches as part-time faculty at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America and serves as a social justice consultant at the JCC of Manhattan. Additionally, she is the Dean and Educational Facilitator for Elluminate, a leadership program for Jewish women social justice entrepreneurs. Much of her current work focuses on supporting and advocating for immigrants and asylum seekers arriving in NewYork.

Ruth’s leadership has earned her numerous honors, including awards from national Jewish organizations and honorary degrees from five major American rabbinical seminaries. She is an active member of her congregation, the Society for the Advancement of Judaism, and serves on the boards of the Interfaith Center of New York and Aegis Trust.

Ruth holds a B.A. from Radcliffe College and an M.S.W. from the University of Oklahoma. She is married to Andrew Lachman, has three children, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

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Ruth Messinger speaks on social justice, civic responsibility, Jewish values, global human rights, and moral leadership. With a career spanning New York City politics, nonprofit leadership, and international advocacy, she helps audiences understand how individuals and communities can respond to injustice with courage, clarity, and action. Her work offers a powerful lens on public service, women’s leadership, immigration, democracy, global poverty, faith-based activism, and the lifelong pursuit of tikkun olam — repairing the world.

Videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=732SVSwkz78
Immigration: Then and Now | Ruth Messinger | TEDxRiverdaleCountrySchool
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWM3zhF-iAM
INSIGHT: American Jewish World Service - Ruth Messinger

Books / Movies As an Amazon Associate, Gravity earns from qualifying purchases.

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Testimonials

"The history of the West African women's peacebuilding movement can never be written without mentioning the name Ruth Messinger."

Leymah Gbowee, Winner, Nobel Peace Prize,Director
Women Peace and Security Network Africa

"Ruth Messinger has been building a better future for all of New York City's children." 

Al Gore
45th Vice President of the United States

"Ruth has always been a voice for the most marginalized, whether they lived down the street or around the world."

William Jefferson Clinton
42nd President of the United States