Recapping the URJ President's Whirlwind Visit to Israel

"It is imperative that we draw strength from the diversity of the Jewish people and the many ways we love and uphold the State of Israel. At a time when many among our people seek to demonize fellow Jews, may our collective study of Torah empower and embolden us to turn curses into blessings as we embrace the many authentic ways we love Israel and live Jewishly committed lives."

These are the words of Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, in an op-ed published Friday by the Jerusalem Post. Read his piece "Refusing to Be Pushed Away: Reform Movement Affirms Its Zionist Core" on JPost.com.

Rabbi Jacobs wrote this piece while in Israel this week, where a full itinerary kept him busy throughout the trip.

He started with a visit on Thursday morning to Shaar Ha’Negev, the border kibbutzim near Gaza, on Thursday morning, where he recorded a brief Facebook Live video update from Kibbutz Be’eri. While there, he met with representatives from the region and firefighters from KKL, The Jewish National Fund, to see the devastation done to the fields by the flaming kites sent by Hamas activists and others in Gaza across to Israel. He shared with them solidarity and support from our North American Reform Jewish Movement to all the people in the region.

Following that visit, Rabbi Jacobs tweeted:

I had the honor of meeting some of the heroic Israeli firefighters from KKL (Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael) who are putting out the flames from Gazan kites, which destroyed fields at Kibbutz Be'eri. We must find a peaceful route... pic.twitter.com/6SltEONrFi

— Rabbi Rick Jacobs (@URJPresident) June 28, 2018

Rabbi Jacobs also met with Reform Jewish communities in the border-area kibbutzim, where residents are engaged in promoting a democratic and open Judaism that is all focused on equality and a better future for all.

I also spoke with members of Kibbutz Kfar Aza in Southern Israel. They live in fear but desperately want peace & a shared prosperous future with Gazans. pic.twitter.com/9ZkEDjI5qr

— Rabbi Rick Jacobs (@URJPresident) June 28, 2018

He attended a rally organized by Women Wage Peace, a new group that demands politicians from Israel and the Palestinians and the Arab world get serious about bringing about a better world for all. Members include residents of the Gaza border kibbutzim.

It was an honor to spend time with Rabbi Noa Sattath, director of @Israel_RAC, & others at a @WomenWagePeace rally at the Israeli border with Gaza. Thank you for having me! pic.twitter.com/X3Q6YffNRa

— Rabbi Rick Jacobs (@URJPresident) June 29, 2018

Finally, while in Israel, Rabbi Jacobs had the opportunity to visit the Kotel with teen participants in the Reform Movement’s NFTY in Israel program, which facilitates study-abroad programs in Israel for Jewish young adults.

Rabbi Jacobs said of his trip, “It’s time for there to be a new way to give peace and justice to the people of Gaza, an end to the destructive policies and dangerous leadership of Hamas, and security to the Israelis who live nearby the Gaza border.”

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