Jay Ruderman has never been content to sit quietly on the sidelines. As an activist, author, and President of the Ruderman Family Foundation, he has made it his mission to challenge assumptions, push boundaries, and transform public attitudes. Through his award-winning podcast All About Change and his new book Find Your Fight: Make Your Voice Heard for the Causes that Matter Most, Ruderman is sharing decades of experience in advocacy, inspiring others to join him in changing the world.
For Jay, real activism means more than financial backing — it’s about creating programs, speaking out, and building partnerships that move society forward. One of those partnerships that is creating meaningful change is with University of Haifa, home to the pioneering Ruderman Program for American Jewish Studies. Jay also sits on University of Haifa’s Board of Governors.
You’ve often been described as an activist, changemaker, philanthropist and a leader. How do you see yourself?
I’ve always viewed myself first and foremost as an activist. That’s what defines both my work and the work of the foundation. Many foundations are primarily funders — they support existing organizations or projects and cheer them on from the sidelines. Our model has always been different. We don’t just invest in programs; we create them, shape them, and stay actively involved.
For me, activism means speaking out, influencing public attitudes, and making sure the initiatives we support actually shift the conversation. That could mean bringing Knesset members to the U.S., working with Hollywood studios on disability inclusion, or helping design academic programs like the one at University of Haifa. In every case, it’s about being present, pushing for change, and not being afraid to take the lead.
Your new book, Find Your Fight, is making waves. Why did you write it, and what do you hope readers take away?
Activism is what truly changes the world. Politics, in many ways, is broken — too often it’s about raising money, staying in office, and appealing to extremes rather than solving problems. But activism, when it’s rooted in values and done thoughtfully, can shift culture, challenge systems, and inspire real progress.
Find Your Fight is part memoir, part practical guide, and part call to action. I wanted to share not just my own experiences, but also the lessons of activists who refused to wait for permission to make a difference. Throughout the book, I illustrate these principles with stories of people from very different backgrounds — people who turned passion into impact in extraordinary ways. There’s Chrissy Beckles, who rescues abandoned dogs in Puerto Rico; Nicole Hockley, who founded Sandy Hook Promise after losing her son to gun violence; and Mari Copeny, known as Little Miss Flint, who at just eight years old helped bring national attention to the Flint water crisis. Each of them shows how determination, clarity, and courage can spark meaningful change.
Ultimately, I hope readers understand that you don’t need to be wealthy or connected to make a difference. Anyone can find their fight. What matters is choosing an issue that moves you personally, staying persistent through the inevitable setbacks, and being willing to speak out even when it’s uncomfortable. If the book helps someone realize that their voice matters — and gives them the courage and tools to use it — then I’ve accomplished what I set out to do.
You also host the podcast All About Change. How does it fit into your broader mission?
The podcast grew out of my belief that stories inspire action. Every episode of All About Change is an opportunity to highlight people who are taking risks, challenging norms, and reshaping their communities. Some of them are well-known leaders; others are everyday people who simply refused to accept the status quo. What unites them is the courage to act.
For me, the podcast is a platform to amplify those voices and bring their lessons to a wider audience. It’s a reminder that change doesn’t just come from governments or institutions, it comes from individuals who care deeply and are willing to step forward. It’s also a reminder that activism takes many shapes and forms, emerging from the most diverse places — from art to business, from community organizing to personal storytelling.
That belief in the power of storytelling is also what led me to launch Boston Rose, a film initiative focused on developing and producing documentaries that elevate underrepresented voices and advance conversations around inclusion, equity, and social change. In all of these efforts, the goal is the same: to use stories to open minds, shift attitudes, and inspire people to take action.
Turning to your foundation’s work — what impact are you most proud of?
There are a few areas that stand out to me. One is disability inclusion, particularly in the entertainment industry. Hollywood is one of the most powerful engines for shaping attitudes, and for too long disability was either invisible on screen or reduced to stereotypes. Through years of persistence, we’ve helped shift the conversation so that disability representation is no longer an afterthought. We’ve worked directly with studios and directors to encourage systemic change, created the Ruderman Seal of Authentic Representation to recognize productions that cast actors with disabilities in authentic roles, and held public figures accountable when they fell short. Our recent white paper with the Geena Davis Institute showed that nearly 80% of characters with disabilities on TV are still inauthentically cast — but by putting hard data on the table, we’re helping fuel momentum and encourage the industry to make real, lasting change.
Another area is mental health. Long before it became a mainstream conversation, we recognized that mental health was a core issue for society at large. The Foundation has worked to identify gaps in mental health resources and programs in high schools and on college campuses, helping young people access support when and where they need it. We’ve also engaged with industries like sports and gaming, where mental health struggles are often hidden, to bring the issue into the open and to normalize seeking help. Across all these efforts, the goal is simple: to end the stigma that too often keeps people dealing with these issues in silence and to make mental health a priority for communities everywhere.
And, of course, strengthening the relationship between Israel and the American Jewish community has been central to our mission. The majority of the world’s Jews live in these two countries, and the health of that relationship is vital to our shared future. Through initiatives like the Ruderman Program for American Jewish Studies at University of Haifa, we’ve helped hundreds of students and future leaders gain a deeper, more nuanced understanding of American Jewry — its diversity, its challenges, and its enduring contributions. We’ve also supported high-level exchanges between Israeli policymakers and American Jewish leaders to build trust and mutual respect.
University of Haifa has been a key partner for you. What first drew you to the university?
Honestly, it came down to leadership and vision. Years ago, when Prof. Gur Alroey — then a historian of Jewish immigration to America and now the University’s President — reached out, we immediately connected on the importance of educating Israelis about the complexity of the American Jewish community. Out of that shared vision, the Ruderman Program for American Jewish Studies was born.
What set University of Haifa apart was its determination to build something truly impactful. From the beginning, this was a genuine partnership; one where our ideas and expertise could combine with the University’s academic strength and commitment to social responsibility. Together, we created a program that equips students with a deeper understanding of American Jewry and its relationship to Israel. Now in its 13th year, the program has graduated more than 250 students, creating a growing network of alumni who are influencing policy, education, and public discourse across Israel.
What has the Ruderman Program achieved?
The program has now graduated hundreds of students, many of whom have gone on to important roles in government, journalism, and business. What makes it unique is that it equips these future leaders with a sophisticated understanding of American Jewry — not just surface-level knowledge, but a real grasp of its diversity, its challenges, and its contributions.
When I meet graduates of the program, I can see the difference it has made. They approach Israel–Diaspora relations with nuance, empathy, and insight. That matters enormously because the United States and Israel are home to the vast majority of the world’s Jews, and their relationship will shape the future of our people. I’m proud that University of Haifa has become the hub for this kind of learning, and that the program we built together continues to have a lasting impact.
Looking ahead, what excites you most?
What excites me is the chance to keep using every platform I have to push for change. Whether it’s through my book Find Your Fight, the conversations I’m hosting on the All About Change podcast, the work of the foundation, or the partnership we’ve built with University of Haifa, it all comes back to the same goal: inspiring people to think differently, act boldly, and create a more inclusive society.
Looking ahead, my focus is on ensuring that the change we’re building is lasting — that the ideas we champion don’t just make a splash in the moment but continue to influence leaders, institutions, and communities well into the future. I want the next generation to inherit not only stronger programs but also the confidence to raise their voices, challenge assumptions, and fight for what they believe in. That’s what gives me hope and keeps me motivated.
Jay Ruderman’s path reminds us that activism and leadership are not separate callings but two sides of the same coin. His journey shows that lasting change is never about standing on the sidelines; it comes from passion, persistence, and the courage to raise your voice even when it challenges convention.
What makes his story so powerful is the way conviction is translated into action, creating ripples that reach far beyond any single program or initiative. By turning vision into reality and inspiring others to do the same, he demonstrates that one determined voice can shape communities, shift attitudes, and chart a more inclusive future for generations to come. Through the Ruderman Program at University of Haifa, Jay’s commitment to activism is shaping not only today’s conversations but also the leaders who will carry them forward for generations to come.
