Jerry Goodman

Jerry Goodman (1932-2025)
Jerry Goodman, a leading figure in the Soviet Jewry movement, passed away on November 25, 2025.
Born on September 28, 1932, Jerry grew up in the Bronx in New York City. He graduated from City College and received a Masters degree in International Relations from New York University. He began his professional career as the Director of European Affairs at the American Jewish Committee. In 1971, he became the founding executive director of the National Conference on Soviet Jewry, which was established to coordinate the efforts of the American Jewish communities on behalf of Jews in the Soviet Union. He served in this role until 1988.
In 1974 Jerry, with the National Conference, led the effort in support of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, which linked U.S.-Soviet trade to emigration intended to restrict U.S. trade relations with USSR. Jerry helped establish–first in New York City, and later nationwide–an annual “Solidarity Sunday” march, during which thousands gathered in front of the United Nations, to make themselves heard on behalf of the Jews in the U.S.S.R. Most of his work focused on engaging individuals and Jewish communities around the United States in activism and advocacy for the Jews in the Soviet Union. This included the Bar/Bat Mitzvah “twinning” program, and arranging trips for Americans to visit refuseniks in the Soviet Union. At the apex of his advocacy work, Jerry was involved in coordinating the Freedom Sunday for Soviet Jews in December 1987. 250,000 people came to Washington, D.C. to demonstrate during Mikhail Gorbachev's summit meeting with President Ronald Reagan.
After leaving NCSJ, Jerry served as executive director first of the International Committee for Sepharad '92, and then of the National Committee for Labor Israel. He founded the Archives of the American Soviet Jewry Movement, now housed at the American Jewish Historical Society and served as its senior advisor from 2006-2008. He served on the board of Ameinu, a national, multi-generational community of progressive Jews in North America.
Jerry is survived by his wife Susan, children Micah (MZ) and Nina, and grandchildren Alexei, Flora, Margot, and Simon. He will be remembered for his commitment to social justice and activism, his devotion to his family, and for his story-telling.