A portrait of
Ruth W. Messinger Champion of dignity, justice and equality

A tribute to a truly extraordinary leader, AJWS’s former President and its first Global Ambassador.

We all have heroes—individuals whose words and deeds stir and inspire us. Many of them are icons from the past or larger-than-life figures we only get to know from afar. Occasionally, we’re lucky enough to have one who walks among us.

At American Jewish World Service (AJWS), that hero is Ruth.

She is a visionary leader whose energy, passion and commitment to justice know no bounds. For 18 years, she has been at the helm of AJWS, furthering the pursuit of global justice, honoring the inherent dignity of all people and leading American Jews to repair the world. Prior to joining AJWS, she was a luminary of New York City government, leading her school board, serving on the City Council and eventually serving as the Borough President of Manhattan—always with an unshakable conviction that all of New York City’s diverse citizens must be heard and respected.

This collection pays tribute to this truly extraordinary leader, AJWS’s former President, its first Global Ambassador and our very own Messinger of Hope.

-Robert Bank, AJWS President and CEO

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Ruth's Story

Ruth Messinger's Story

Ruth Messinger’s dedication to social justice runs deep. “I feel like I’ve been an activist my whole life.”
Tributes to Ruth Messinger

Tributes to Ruth Messinger

Bill Clinton, Al Gore and others pay tribute to a truly extraordinary leader.

Ruth Messinger Through the Years

Here's a look back at Ruth's four decades in the public eye.
Ruth Messinger with Jesse Jackson

Ruth Messinger on Civil Rights

As is true for many in my generation, the civil rights movement was a formative part of my Jewish and American identities.

Ruth Messinger on Darfur

As the President of American Jewish World Service, I went to Sudan and Chad.
Ruth Messinger while serving as a New York City Councilwoman in 1987

Ruth Messinger on Sexism

In the 1980s and ‘90s, I was in the thick of my political career as a New York City Council member and as Manhattan borough president.
Ruth on the Holocaust and Human Rights

Ruth Messinger on the Holocaust and Human Rights

I do this work—proudly—as a Jew, for Jewish reasons, with a Jewish vision for repairing the world.
Ruth Messinger on Disaster Relief

Ruth Messinger on Disaster Relief

“Who is wise? One who learns from all people.” So teaches a passage in Pirkei Avot, an ancient collection of Jewish texts.

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