Join our Community
Support ToI and remove all ads
Learn more
×

Rick Jacobs

Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union of Reform Judaism, stands second from right on the dais as a morning prayer begins at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Churchwide Assembly in Phoenix, Arizona, July 31, 2025. (Courtesy Rick Jacobs)
August 8, 2025, 2:00 am
After Lutherans pass ‘one-sided’ Israel resolution, US rabbi’s plea for unity prevails
Union for Reform Judaism president Rick Jacobs has decades of interfaith work under his belt, so when a church convention voiced a narrow view of the Gaza conflict, he was prepared
By Grace Gilson
Craig Berko, director of membership at Temple Beth Sholom, prepares to hand out prayer books during a Shabbat service, September 27, 2024, in Miami Beach, Florida. (AP/Wilfredo Lee)
October 1, 2024, 9:44 am
US Jews report ‘difficult time’ as High Holidays and October 7 anniversary coincide
At peak of religious calendar, synagogues to commemorate deadly Hamas attack on Israel, amid rising antisemitism and pain over ongoing war, remaining hostages
By AP and ToI Staff
President of the Union for Reform Judaism Rabbi Rick Jacobs at The Times of Israel's Jerusalem office, July 4, 2024. (Amanda Borschel-Dan/Times of Israel)
July 6, 2024, 2:13 pm
Daily Briefing July 6: Day 274 – Rabbi Rick Jacobs on reaching out to anti-Zionist Jews
The president of the Union for Reform Judaism says the future of Diaspora Jewish life is not in question, but it is up to Jewish leadership and educators to shape its contours
By ToI Staff
Religious Zionism party leader Bezalel Smotrich (right) and Otzma Yehudit party leader Itamar Ben Gvir at the Knesset plenum in Jerusalem, December 28, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/ Flash90)
January 3, 2024, 4:01 am
US slams ‘irresponsible’ calls by Smotrich and Ben Gvir for emigration of Gazans
State Dept issues rare, unprompted critique of ministers by name, days after Biden pressed PM to rein in far-right partners; Ben Gvir unfazed: ‘We are not another star in the US flag’
By Jacob Magid
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, in Jerusalem on June 27, 2018. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
October 27, 2023, 8:56 am
What Matters Now to Rabbi Rick Jacobs: Coalitions of faith and conscience
The president of the Union for Reform Judaism, which represents some two million Jews in North America, makes an onsite tour of Israel to be able to report back and shore up support
By Amanda Borschel-Dan
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the state ceremony marking 50 years since the Yom Kippur War at Jerusalem's Mount Herzl, on September 26, 2023 (Photo by Chaim Goldberg/FLASH90)
September 27, 2023, 1:15 pm
Daily Briefing Sept. 27: Saudi talks and the PA; Netanyahu talks tachlis with NY Jews
US bureau chief Jacob Magid discusses latest normalization efforts and PM’s conversation with Jewish leaders; social media editor Sarah Tuttle-Singer introduces Hidden Gems
By ToI Staff
Union for Reform Judaism President Rabbi Rick Jacobs speaks at a protest against the government's judicial overhaul, in Tel Aviv on February 25, 2023. (Screenshot)
February 26, 2023, 5:18 pm
Reform Judaism head: Critics say US Jews can’t have an opinion, then seek our help
After addressing Saturday night protest in Tel Aviv, Rabbi Rick Jacobs says he was representing majority of US Jews when he spoke out against government’s planned judicial overhaul
By Judah Ari Gross
An aerial drone shot of anti-government protesters in Tel Aviv on February 25, 2023. (social media)
February 25, 2023, 11:00 pm
‘Largest protests yet’: Masses around country rally against curbing of judiciary
Organizers claim 300,000 attend; ex-PM Barak: ‘Worst crisis since state’s formation,’ president must choose side; 21 arrested as protesters block Ayalon Highway, clash with cops
By ToI Staff
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, head of the Union for Reform Judaism, stands in his office in New York in May 2022. (Judah Ari Gross/Times of Israel)
November 20, 2022, 10:32 pm
US Reform chief: Ben Gvir as police minister akin to KKK leader as attorney general
Rabbi Rick Jacobs says ‘unimaginable’ that Otzma Yehudit leader and Bezalel Smotrich of Religious Zionism will be ‘face of modern Israel,’ warns that US officials may not meet them
By ToI Staff
A Star of David hangs from a fence outside the dormant landmark Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh's Squirrel Hill neighborhood on October 26, 2022. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)
October 27, 2022, 6:45 pm
Marking 4 years since Tree of Life massacre, Biden rues ‘ugly rise’ of antisemitism
Noting ‘vile conspiracies amplified by a celebrity,’ House speaker Nancy Pelosi urges ‘moral responsibility to combat the scourge of antisemitism’
By ToI Staff
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, head of the Union for Reform Judaism, stands in his office in New York in May 2022. (Judah Ari Gross/Times of Israel)
June 19, 2022, 3:23 am
US Reform head hopeful on Israel-Diaspora ties, despite Jerusalem inaction
In extensive interview with ToI, Rabbi Rick Jacobs, head of North America’s largest Jewish movement, stresses commitment to Zionism, strides in improving ties with Israel
By Judah Ari Gross
Ultra-Orthodox Jews scuffle with police as they protest members of the Women of the Wall movement bringing in Torah scrolls to their hold Rosh Hodesh service at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City, on March 4, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
March 4, 2022, 7:49 pm
Thousands of Haredim try to stop egalitarian prayer at Western Wall, clash with cops
Officers prevent Reform, Conservative leaders from entering worship area with Torah scrolls, as thousands of ultra-Orthodox demonstrators converge on holy site to disrupt them
By ToI Staff
Representatives of the Reform and Conservative movements of Judaism from North America and Israel stand outside the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem before a meeting on February 28, 2022. (Reform Movement in Israel)
February 28, 2022, 5:23 pm
PM meets Reform, Conservative leaders after 6-year hiatus under Netanyahu
Bennett vows to improve conditions at Western Wall prayer space; MK Alon Tal, who attended sit-down, says he’s optimistic about improving ties between Israel and progressive Jews
By Judah Ari Gross
Demonstrators protest Russia's invasion of Ukraine in the Studio City neighborhood of Los Angeles, California on February 24, 2022. (Robyn Beck / AFP)
February 25, 2022, 8:07 am
Jewish communities pray for peace after Russian invasion of Ukraine
Groups across the religious spectrum offer prayers for those caught up in Moscow’s aggression
By Shira Hanau
FBI Special Agent In Charge Matthew DeSarno speaks at a news conference near the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue on January 15, 2022 in Colleyville, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images via AFP)
January 17, 2022, 9:03 am
With info scarce, US authorities, Jewish groups differ on Texas attacker’s motives
FBI declares gunman ‘singularly focused,’ Biden says he had multiple agendas; Reform movement sure targeting of synagogue was antisemitism, but synagogue itself says it was random
By Jacob Magid
Load More
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Paying ToI Community members are invited to comment on articles
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By joining you agree to the terms and conditions
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Only ToI Community members can comment below articles
Forgot your password? / Send me a login link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.
Back to top
Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering allows you to manage your newsletters and alerts and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
I forgot my password / Send me a sign in link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.