The New Leadership Council (NLC) comprises the next generation of Jewish leaders. The new leaders come from diverse backgrounds and are committed to JDCA’s mission of advocating for our Jewish and Democratic values and mobilizing Jewish voters to elect our endorsed candidates.
New Leadership Council
Jenny has over two decades of experience in advocacy, government and politics. A dynamic, collaborative senior leader and strategist, she has produced successful campaigns and programs to enhance public reputation, and advance organization goals and policy agendas.
A native of Philadelphia, she first engaged in politics as a high school student involved in her local school board campaign. Her involvement in Jewish youth outreach widened her political involvement. Since that time, she has navigated political contexts, managed key stakeholder relationships, and built partnerships on a local, state and national level.
While she is passionate about many social justice issues informed by her Jewish heritage, her main passion these days is being Mom to her two children, Marcus and Serena, with her husband, Michael.
Matt Ratner is a film producer and director. Ratner has produced ten films under the Tilted Windmill banner, and all have premiered to critical acclaim at top-tier film festivals such as SXSW and Sundance, winning multiple awards. STANDING UP, FALLING DOWN, his directorial debut, starring Billy Crystal and Ben Schwartz, premiered at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival. He received the award for Best Directorial Debut - U.S. at the Heartland International Film Festival, where the film also received the “Humor and Humanity” award. Additionally, Ratner received the Best First Feature award at the Naples International Film Festival, and the film received the Audience Award at Washington West Film Festival and the Best Screenplay Award at the Napa Valley Film Festival among others. Most recently he produced the indie comedy WE BROKE UP, starring Aya Cash and William Jackson Harper, which premiered exclusively on Hulu.
Matt founded Tilted Windmill Productions with the belief that commercially viable and artistically fulfilling filmmaking need not be mutually exclusive. After graduating from Northwestern University, Matt spent several years working in politics and government, including as the Director of Jewish Outreach for the Ohio Democratic Party during the 2008 Presidential election, and at the National Security Division of the Department of Justice.
Ratner has a variety of philanthropic and civic pursuits and is heavily involved in wildlife and habitat conservation in Africa, serving on the board of Conservancy Guardians USA. He also serves on the Next Generation Leadership Council for the Jewish Democratic Council of America.
Jamie Simon is the Chief Executive Officer of Tawonga Jewish Community Corporation – a San Francisco-based “Jewish community center without walls” most known for its residential summer camp program near Yosemite, Camp Tawonga. Jamie is also a senior consultant for Tawonga Institute, specializing in justice and equity work. crisis management and women’s leadership training and mentorship.
Jamie was selected to join the 2020 Emerge California Fellowship, which prepares women to run for office. She also participated in the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s Executive Leadership Institute.
Prior to Tawonga, Jamie worked as the prevention education director at United Against Sexual Assault in Sonoma County. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and Women and Gender Studies from Sonoma State University.
Jamie loves working with youth and is passionate about politics and the San Jose Sharks. She lives in Oakland, California with her husband and their sons, Ezra and Eli.