URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs Responds To Nomination Of David Friedman To Be U.S. Ambassador To Israel
URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs Asks President-Elect Trump About Comments By David Friedman
URJ Commends Prime Minister Netanyahu For Commitment To Aleppo's Wounded Civilians
In response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement that Israel will find ways to assist wounded civilians from Aleppo, Syria, Union for Reform Judaism President Rabbi Rick Jacobs issued the following statement: In these darkest days of the year, we applaud and are heartened by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s bold decision to help alleviate the devastating scale of human suffering by, according to news reports, seeking ways to expand Israel’s medical assistance to the civilian casualties of the Syrian tragedy, specifically in Aleppo.
Statement of URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs On Proposed U.N. Resolution On Israeli Settlements
The Union for Reform Judaism, representing the largest segment of American Jewry, has a long-standing policy of opposition to the Israeli settlements in the West Bank. At the same time, we stand firmly against any U.N. resolution that would dictate the way forward on this complicated issue. The United Nations has a long and troubling record of hostility to Israel, and it has proved itself incapable of playing a constructive role.
URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs: Illegal Settlement Legislation A "Lose-Lose" Policy
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.
First-Ever Online "Introduction to Judaism" Class from Reform Movement
The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), the largest, most diverse Jewish movement in North America, launches a new online Introduction to Judaism class, filling a significant need in the North American community for individuals who want to explore liberal Judaism but have no in-person opportunities to study.
Reform Jewish Leader Deeply Disappointed by Vote to Confirm Senator Sessions as Attorney General
In response to the Senate’s vote to confirm Senator Jeff Sessions as the next U.S. Attorney General, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement on behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, the Central Conference of American Rabbis and the wider Reform Movement:
We are deeply disappointed by the Senate’s vote today to confirm Senator Jeff Sessions as the next U.S. Attorney General. As a Movement that has worked for civil rights for over 50 years, we opposed Senator Sessions’ nomination because his record in public life displays an insufficient commitment to advancing voting rights, criminal justice reform, immigration reform, LGBTQ equality, women’s rights and religious liberty, all issues for which we would expect any Attorney General to be a champion.
URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs: President Trump's "Abdication" Of Two-State Solution Could Devastate Israel's Prospects For Peace
Reform Jewish Movement Opposes David Friedman’s Nomination for U.S. Ambassador to Israel
"This is a critical moment. Never before have we opposed the nomination of a U.S. Ambassador. We do so now because of the imperative need for us to voice our concerns about this critically important appointment. Our statement comes from our deep love for Israel and our fear that longstanding bipartisan support for Israel hangs in the balance.”