Reform Judaism Leader Urges Jerusalem Mayor to Condemn Repeated Synagogue Attacks

Kol HaNeshama, a Reform congregation in Jerusalem’s city center, has been targeted four times within a single month. Incidents have included a smashed window, eggs thrown at worshippers during Rosh Hashanah services, and the removal of a Pride flag from the sanctuary on Yom Kippur after an intruder entered between services. The repeated vandalism has raised concerns among the synagogue’s members and the broader Reform community.

Times of Israel

Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, sent an open letter to Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion urging the mayor and other Israeli officials to issue a public condemnation of each attack. Jacobs argued that a single incident should be sufficient to prompt vocal opposition from authorities and noted that comparable attacks on Jewish congregations abroad—such as the shooting outside Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, and the assault on Central Synagogue in Manhattan—were met with statements of condemnation from foreign leaders. He described the absence of any public expression of concern from Jerusalem’s mayor, the prime minister, or other officials as “simply and terribly wrong.”

Times of Israel

President Isaac Herzog later contacted the synagogue’s leadership to convey solidarity following the latest incident. No public response from Mayor Moshe Lion or other Israeli officials has been reported in the sources. Jacobs’ letter therefore remains the primary formal request for an official statement.

Times of Israel

The Union for Reform Judaism represents progressive Jewish congregations worldwide, advocating for inclusive practices such as the display of Pride symbols. Kol HaNeshama is one of the few Reform synagogues operating in Jerusalem, a city where the majority of Jewish worship services are conducted under Orthodox auspices. The repeated attacks have highlighted tensions surrounding religious pluralism in the capital.

Times of Israel