Reform Movement in Israel

Shabbat Message: A Galvanizing Visit to Israel That Fills Me With Encouragement

Rabbi Rick Jacobs

March 4, 2022

In meetings with the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, Defense Minister Benny Gantz, Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman, Transportation Minister Merav Michaeli, and Foreign Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid, we discussed the crisis in Ukraine, the future of the Kotel, ensuring more funding and rights for non-Orthodox Jews, combatting racism, and stopping extremist violence against Palestinians, in addition to other pressing issues.

Israeli flags strung up across a blue sky

Israeli History

The Bitter and the Sweet: Observing Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut This Year

Rabbi Rick Jacobs

April 6, 2021

We at the URJ are working with you, our congregations, to instill a love of Israel, make it central to the identity of Reform Jews, and advance efforts toward ensuring that it is a nation of equality, tolerance, pluralism, and justice.

A few Israeli flags on flagpoles against a blue sky background

Israel Programs

Spread the Word: Virtual Events Commemorating Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut

Rabbi Josh Weinberg

April 5, 2021

As Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmaut approach during this continued period of social distancing, you're invited to join the Reform Movement and our partners for any and all of the following online events in observance of the two holidays.

Reform Movement in Israel

Join Us in Urging the Israeli Government Not to Carry Out Unilateral West Bank Annexation

Rabbi Hara Person

Rabbi Rick Jacobs

June 18, 2020

As a Movement that puts Ahavat Yisrael as one of its highest values and with our deep commitment to Israel as both a Jewish and democratic state, we must strongly oppose the potential annexation after July 1st.

Reform Movement in Israel

Reform Movement Cancels Meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu

Rabbi Rick Jacobs: “We cannot go about our scheduled meetings as if nothing has happened. The annulment of the Kotel resolution and the passing of the conversion law have caused an acute crisis between the Israeli government and diaspora Jewry. After yesterday's shameful decisions, we feel that at this moment, after more than four years of negotiations, it is not clear that the current Israeli government honors its agreements."