Rabbi Rick Jacobs
Reform Movement Leader on UNESCO's Hebron Resolution
Rabbi Rick Jacobs: It’s hard to fathom how UNESCO can, once again, vote to delegitimize what is demonstrated Jewish history at an ancient holy site. The place where Judaism’s patriarchs and matriarchs rest must not become a political pawn.
URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs In Private Audience With Pope Francis: Faith Leaders Share Commitment To Protect The Vulnerable
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) was received in a private audience today by the Holy Father Pope Francis at the Vatican for a 20-minute one-to-one meeting.
URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs: President Trump's "Abdication" Of Two-State Solution Could Devastate Israel's Prospects For Peace
Following today's press conference with President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), which represents the largest segment of American Jewry, issued the following statement. If you would like to speak with Rabbi Jacobs, please contact LTheodore@urj.org or 212-650-4154. Thank you.
We learned today that President Trump “can live with” a one-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. With all respect: that was never the question. The question is: can Israelis and Palestinians live with it in a way that allows for a Jewish, democratic State of Israel and realization of the legitimate rights and aspirations of the Palestinians. And the answer to that question remains “no.” Only a two-state solution can achieve the goals of the Israelis and Palestinians.
URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs: Illegal Settlement Legislation A "Lose-Lose" Policy
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), issued the following statement in response to the Israeli government passing leglislation legalizing Israeli settlements on privately owned Palestinian land:
We are disheartened, concerned, but, alas, not surprised that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government today voted to “legalize” illegal Israeli settlements that are built on privately owned Palestinian land. This action makes more difficult the achievement of a two-state solution and significantly undermines Israeli democracy. It is a lose-lose policy.
Reform Movement Denounces President Trump's Executive Order Barring Entry From Several Muslim-Majority Countries
In response to President Trump’s executive order barring entry to the United States for refugees, immigrants and others from several majority-Muslim countries, the leaders of the Union for Reform Judaism, the Central Conference of American Rabbis and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement on behalf of the Reform Jewish Movement:
“The Reform Movement denounces in the strongest terms the horrifying executive order on immigration and refugees issued late Friday evening by President Trump. The order signed yesterday is even worse than feared, barring entry of all Syrian refugees, imposing in essence a religious test for entry to the U.S., and refusing entry to any individual coming from a list of majority-Muslim nations – betraying even those individuals who have supported our nation's military efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. Families are now being held apart and countless individuals who have served our nation in the most difficult circumstances are in jeopardy.
