Rabbi Rick Jacobs

Rabbi Rick Jacobs

Rabbi Rick Jacobs (he/him) is the president of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), the largest Jewish movement in North America, with almost 850 congregations and nearly 1.5 million members. An innovative thought leader, dynamic visionary, and representative of progressive Judaism, he spent 20 years as the spiritual leader of Westchester Reform Temple in Scarsdale, NY. Deeply dedicated to global social justice issues, he has led disaster response efforts in Haiti and Darfur.

Learn more about Rabbi Rick Jacobs.
 

Cracked stone with blue sky visible beyond it

A Shabbat Message: Restoring Sacred Trust

Rabbi Rick Jacobs
Yesterday was a difficult day for all of us across the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). We were forced to confront hard truths about the pain that too many in our communities have experienced. Yet confronting these truths is part of the practice of cheshbon hanefesh, the practice of being spiritually and morally accountable.  
Update on Ethics Investigation

Release of Ethics Investigation Report

Rabbi Rick Jacobs
Jennifer Brodkey Kaufman
Earlier this year, the URJ retained Debevoise & Plimpton, a leading law firm, to conduct an independent, comprehensive, and impartial investigation into sexual harassment, abuse, and misconduct. Today we are sharing the full investigation report.
Rabbi Rick Jacobs

Jewish Institutions Must Also Do T’shuvah

Rabbi Rick Jacobs
I pray that our observance of Yom Kippur will be probing and transformative, helping us become the best people and the most inspiring Movement that we are meant to be.
yk shofar

Blame Ourselves, Not God

Rabbi Rick Jacobs
Blaming God for such tragedies is theologically problematic; blaming God for failed human policies is blasphemous. This idea is worth considering as we cope with the devastating aftermath of the multiple disasters confronting us.