Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union of Reform Judaism (URJ), the largest denomination of American Jews, recently spoke at Temple Beth Emeth in Albany at the invitation of the Jewish Federation of Northeastern NY, co-sponsored by all the area Reform congregations. His talk was entitled, “Israel at a Crossroads.” He implored the audience of several hundred to learn how to discuss issues that divide us while dedicating ourselves to communal life, celebrating Judaism and our common humanity, both within and outside of the Jewish community.

Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism.

A democratic Israel

In addition to sharing his great love for Israel and Reform Judaism’s deep commitment to a democratic Israel, Jacobs described how he lobbies the Israeli Knesset against the erosion of Israeli democracy. He advocates for Israel to become a pluralistic society, including recognition of the rights of Reform and Conservative Jews, other religions, and the Palestinian population.

As an example, the rabbi described his opposition to a proposed Israeli law that would criminalize non-Orthodox and egalitarian prayer at the Western Wall, grant the ultra-Orthodox Rabbinate sole control over the entire complex, and impose up to seven years of imprisonment for violations (details). Imagine how many American Jews could be subject to arrest in the Jewish homeland!

In 2020, URJ adopted a resolution stating “Israel’s moral standing depends on its commitment to ensuring that Palestinians do not live as second class citizens without the full democratic rights its Jewish citizens enjoy.” At his presentation, Jacobs spoke out against the “Hilltop Youth” that have been attacking Palestinian communities in the West Bank. URJ and RAC have long opposed Israel’s unilateral annexation of land in the West Bank, believing that it undermines the possibility of a Palestinian state. URJ has written, “Occupation involves acts of degradation and cruelty, and Israel’s occupation is no different.”

URJ and RAC support the proposed West Bank Violence Prevention Act that would give the United States tools to prevent violence in the West Bank and punish perpetrators, regardless of nationality, including visa bans and freezing assets.