John S. Ruskay
Encyclopedia
John S. Ruskay, PhD is the executive vice president & CEO of the United Jewish Appeal - Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York, Inc. (UJA-Federation of New York
), a philanthropy that cares for New Yorkers of all backgrounds and the Jewish people worldwide. Dr. Ruskay is a well-known author and lecturer on issues affecting the Jewish people
Prior to coming to UJA-Federation, he served as a senior consultant to the Wexner Foundation
and the Andrea and Charles Bronfman Foundation. He chaired the Publication Committee of the Journal of Jewish Communal Service and the Professional Advisory Committee of the Brandeis University Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program (2001–2007). He served as educational director of the 92nd Street Y
from 1980 to 1985, and vice chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America
from 1985 to 1993. Ruskay was a founding member of the controversial organization Breira
(1972–1977), which took a left-wing position on Israeli-Palestinian political issues.
Dr. Ruskay is a recipient of the Bernard Reisman Award for Professional Excellence from Brandeis University's Hornstein Program (1996) and the Mandelkorn Distinguished Service Award from the Jewish Communal Service Association of North America. He received an honorary degree from the Jewish Theological Seminary.
On December 8, 2009, John Ruskay’s tenth anniversary as executive vice president & CEO of UJA-Federation was commemorated with a panel discussion about the organization’s work of the last decade. Updating his 1999 inaugural address, Dr. Ruskay delivered a speech titled “Living Lives of Sacred Responsibility” in which he articulated four issues that require UJA-Federation’s attention moving forward: 1) the affordability of Jewish life; 2) connecting the work of human service agencies to Jewish day schools, Hillels
, and community centers; 3) reviewing the organization’s future role in Israel; and 4) differentiating Israel advocacy and Israel education.
in 1968, Dr. Ruskay earned his doctorate in political science at Columbia University
.
UJA-Federation of New York
UJA-Federation of New York, is the largest local philanthropy in the world...
), a philanthropy that cares for New Yorkers of all backgrounds and the Jewish people worldwide. Dr. Ruskay is a well-known author and lecturer on issues affecting the Jewish people
Biography
Dr. Ruskay first came to UJA-Federation in 1993 and served in several positions before being appointed executive vice president and CEO in October 1999.Prior to coming to UJA-Federation, he served as a senior consultant to the Wexner Foundation
Wexner Foundation
The Wexner Foundation is a charitable organization designed to enhance Jewish leadership founded by Leslie Wexner, CEO of Limited Brands and his wife, Abigail Wexner in Columbus, Ohio...
and the Andrea and Charles Bronfman Foundation. He chaired the Publication Committee of the Journal of Jewish Communal Service and the Professional Advisory Committee of the Brandeis University Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program (2001–2007). He served as educational director of the 92nd Street Y
92nd Street Y
92nd Street Y is a multifaceted cultural institution and community center located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City, United States, at the corner of E. 92nd Street and Lexington Avenue. Its full name is 92nd Street Young Men's and Young Women's Hebrew Association...
from 1980 to 1985, and vice chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America
Jewish Theological Seminary of America
The Jewish Theological Seminary of America is one of the academic and spiritual centers of Conservative Judaism, and a major center for academic scholarship in Jewish studies.JTS operates five schools: Albert A...
from 1985 to 1993. Ruskay was a founding member of the controversial organization Breira
Breira (organization)
Breira full name "Breira: A Project of Concern in Diaspora-Israel Relations" was an organizational founded to express a left-wing position on Israel in 1973 and it lasted until 1977.-History:...
(1972–1977), which took a left-wing position on Israeli-Palestinian political issues.
Dr. Ruskay is a recipient of the Bernard Reisman Award for Professional Excellence from Brandeis University's Hornstein Program (1996) and the Mandelkorn Distinguished Service Award from the Jewish Communal Service Association of North America. He received an honorary degree from the Jewish Theological Seminary.
On December 8, 2009, John Ruskay’s tenth anniversary as executive vice president & CEO of UJA-Federation was commemorated with a panel discussion about the organization’s work of the last decade. Updating his 1999 inaugural address, Dr. Ruskay delivered a speech titled “Living Lives of Sacred Responsibility” in which he articulated four issues that require UJA-Federation’s attention moving forward: 1) the affordability of Jewish life; 2) connecting the work of human service agencies to Jewish day schools, Hillels
Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life
Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world, working with thousands of college students globally...
, and community centers; 3) reviewing the organization’s future role in Israel; and 4) differentiating Israel advocacy and Israel education.
Education
After graduating from the University of PittsburghUniversity of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
in 1968, Dr. Ruskay earned his doctorate in political science at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
.
Articles and Speeches
- Looking Forward: Our Three-Pronged Challenge and Opportunity (2000)
- Living Lives of Sacred Responsibility, UJA Federation NY (2009)
- Innovation: One Size Does Not Fit All, eJewish Philanthropy (2009)
- Combating Delegitimization Requires a Big Tent, Jewish Week (2011)