Richard Jacobs (rabbi)

Richard Jacobs is a prominent American rabbi in the Reform Judaism movement. He currently serves as the president of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), a position that oversees nearly 900 synagogues across the United States and Canada, representing approximately 1.5 million Reform Jews. This role is a culmination of his extensive experience as a congregational rabbi, making him the first Union president to have spent most of his career in this capacity.

Prior to his installation as URJ president in June 2012, Jacobs had a distinguished career serving various congregations. Notably, he spent nine years at Brooklyn Heights Synagogue and then went on to serve for twenty years at Westchester Reform Temple in Scarsdale, New York. His background as a congregational rabbi brings a unique perspective to his leadership of the URJ, informing his approach to guiding the Reform movement in North America.