Jewish safety fears can’t ‘overwhelm’ High Holidays, Reform leader says

Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, emphasized that while security is important, it should not "overwhelm the whole experience and the observance of the holidays" during the High Holidays. He stated, "We have holy things to do" and a community focused on "celebration, joy, pride in being Jewish." Jacobs addressed concerns about anti-Israel views within the Reform movement, calling media reports suggesting widespread anti-Zionism "inaccurate" and affirming that the "largest swath of our movement is connected to Israel." He also recounted a meeting with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, where he and other rabbis from across denominations conveyed that the mayor's rhetoric on Israel was "making Jews less safe." Jacobs highlighted his approach of engagement and collaboration across Jewish movements, rooted in his diverse Jewish background, and stressed the importance of opening doors for Jews to connect with their community. He also confirmed plans to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks during Rosh Hashanah, viewing it as an obligatory act of remembrance that aligns with the High Holidays' spiritual nature. Despite current challenges like rising antisemitism and political polarization, Jacobs expressed optimism, quoting Yehuda Amichai that the Jewish people are "infected with hope" and asserting that the end of Jewish life in America is not imminent.