Our Mission
A Jewish Voice That Belongs in the Public Square
With 2.2 million members and 800 institutions worldwide, the Conservative/Masorti Movement is one of the largest branches of Jewish life. And yet, for too long, our voice has been absent from the halls of power.
The Tzedek Center was founded to change that — representing the values, concerns, and lived experience of our people from a nonpartisan perspective, ensuring policymakers understand who we are and how our covenantal tradition informs our response to society’s most urgent challenges.
Our work is organized around three areas of deep communal concern: Jewish safety, food security, and abundant, sustainable energy.
Our Vision
A World Healed by Covenantal Wisdom
We envision a world in which the covenantal wisdom of Conservative/Masorti Judaism helps heal the fractures of our time — working across differences to advance tzedek in public life and to honor kavod ha-briyot, the inherent dignity of every person.
In doing so, we strengthen and empower the Jewish community itself: ensuring our voices are represented in the public square, advancing legislation that protects and uplifts our people, and offering a spiritual home where pursuing tzedek (justice) is understood as an essential expression of what it means to be a Conservative/Masorti Jew.
HOW WE WORK
Three Pillars of Change
01
Community Organizing & Social Action
We embed trained Rashei Tzedek — community captains — inside synagogues and Jewish organizations, creating a living network of social action rooted in Torah values.
02
Advocacy for the Movement
We aim to represent the values and concerns of our Movement, ensuring policymakers understand our community and how our tradition informs our response to society’s most urgent challenges.
03
Education & Community Empowerment
We design and deliver programming — webinars, cohort learning, and resources — that teach communities how to move from identifying a challenge to organizing around a solution.
OUR IMPACT
What We’ve Accomplished
01
Jewish Safety Victory
Partnered to secure DHS clarification empowering congregations to apply for $200,000-per-award Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) funds while protecting their religious conscience.
02
100,000+ People Reached
Co-created a viral video and open letter responding to violent immigration enforcement, reaching over 150,000 people and signed by over 1,100 clergy in 45 states.
03
Youth Leadership in D.C.
Launched the 2nd Ruchot cohort, bringing 34 Jewish teens to Washington, D.C. for advocacy training — equipping the next generation of Conservative/Masorti leaders.
04
20+ Senior Meetings
Elevated our Movement’s voice in 20+ senior-level meetings across the White House, Congress, and federal agencies, establishing the Center as a credible policy partner.
05
80+ Institutions Enrolled
Enrolled 60 Conservative/Masorti institutions in first-year programming pilots, with engagement across programming on food security, energy, LGBTQ+ belonging, and democracy.
06
$57,500 in New Funding
Awarded $57,500 from KKL-JNF to expand environmental education and advocacy efforts, growing cohort-based learning and supporting sustainability across our synagogue network.
The Tzedek Center draws foundational administrative support from the Rabbinical Assembly (RA), the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ), and United Synagogue Youth (USY), with Camp Ramah providing in-kind marketing and programming support.
The Tzedek Center is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.