URJ Responds to Accusations Reportedly Made By Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas
Union for Reform Judaism President Rabbi Rick Jacobs issued the following statement reacting to reports of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ invocation of the classic anti-Semitic canard of water poisoning:
It is deplorable that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas engaged in spreading libelous accusations against Israeli rabbis in his remarks to the European parliament today. This persistent lie dates back thousands of years and is no more true today than it was in medieval ages.
URJ Responds To UUA Rejection of Divestment From Israel
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), issued the following statement today reacting to a vote taken on June 25th at the General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association defeating a resolution to support Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel:
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.
Reform Jewish Movement Responds to School Shooting in South Florida
Reform Movement leadership statements in response to yesterday’s mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, which left at least 17 people dead and many more injured.
URJ's Rabbi Rick Jacobs on Knesset's New Mikvaot Bill
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) President, commented today on a new bill being promoted by the Haredi parties in the Israeli Knesset. The bill seeks to overturn a recent Israeli Supreme Court decision to allow Reform and Conservative conversions in state-controlled mikvaot (ritual baths).
Reform Leader Condemns Horrific Attack on Orlando Nightclub
In response to the tragic violence in Orlando, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism issued the following statement:
The horrific violence in Orlando shakes us to our very core. The staggering loss of life, yet again facilitated by a military-style weapon that has no place on the street, causes us deep pain. We pray for those who were murdered, for healing of body and soul for the injured, and for comfort to the families of all who were present in Pulse nightclub.
We are grateful to law enforcement, the first responders, and all those volunteers who are helping during this crisis.
URJ's Rabbi Rick Jacobs On Today's Prayer Service At The Western Wall's National Plaza
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) President, issued the following statement:
“Today’s prayer service, 500 strong, at the National Plaza adjacent to the Kotel represents simply the legitimate right of the Jewish people to gather in prayer as we have done in that holy place for millennia. The National Plaza, especially, must be a place where all Jews are treated equally and no stream of Judaism has a monopoly."
Faith Groups Lead Briefing on Religious Support for Abortion Services
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 30, 2011 - The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism joined Catholics for Choice, the National Council of Jewish Women, and the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice in leading a briefing today on Capitol Hill to highlight religious support for ac
Supreme Court Deals Blow to Campaign Finance Reform Agenda
Rabbi Saperstein: "The Union for Reform Judaism will continue to support the federal government, states, and localities in exploring new and innovative ways to ensure the viability of public financing programs."
Workplace Discrimination Continues on 70th Anniversary of Roosevelt Executive Order
Rabbi Saperstein: "We urge the White House on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of President Roosevelt's landmark achievement to reassert the imperative that government money never support the erosion of civil rights."