Building Bridges in Jerusalem
I’m writing this from a sun-lit corner of Jerusalem overlooking the walls of the Old City. In front of me, the ancient stones shimmer in the late-morning light, whispering stories of generations who dreamed, argued, and prayed for the future of our people. This week, that future felt very near, as delegates from across the world gathered for the World Zionist Congress.
Representing Arzenu Olami, the global Reform Zionist slate, I joined colleagues in the sacred—and sometimes chaotic—work of shaping Israel’s priorities and the Jewish world’s relationship to them. We came in smaller than the center-right bloc. But because we organized, because we built relationships across boundaries—including with the modern Orthodox slate—we achieved more than many thought possible.
Together we passed a series of resolutions that reflect the best of a Jewish and democratic Israel:
Promoting Hebrew language study throughout the diaspora
Calling for opening full access to the egalitarian section of the Western Wall
Calling for a state commission of inquiry into the events of October 7
Demanding the protection of liberal Jewish communities in Israel
Working to strengthen civil society by opposing the politicization of diaspora philanthropy
Seeking the establishment of a national mental-health task force for victims of terror and soldiers coping with trauma
Rejecting settlement expansion into Gaza
Addressing antisemitism and discrimination in sports
These victories were hard-won—through listening, persistence, and coalition-building across ideological lines. Though a last-minute maneuver by the Likud party prevented a final agreement, the momentum is unmistakable: when we organize, we win.
If you were not sure why your vote mattered, this is why. The work continues, to make these resolutions live both in Israel and across the diaspora. But as I look out over Jerusalem, I can see it clearly: hope is not an abstraction. It’s something we build—together.
Rabbi Joel Mosbacher has served as the senior rabbi of Temple Shaaray Tefila since 2016. He is the 8th senior rabbi in the 170+ years of the congregation.
Rabbi Mosbacher holds a Doctorate of Ministry with a focus on Pastoral Counseling from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religions, from which he was ordained in 1998. He is also a proud Badger, having earned his BA with a double major in Philosophy and Hebrew and Semitic Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Rabbi Mosbacher is a social justice leader within the Reform movement. A recipient of the T’ruah Rabbinic Human Rights Hero Award in 2016, he serves on the national strategy team of the Metro Industrial Areas Foundation, and is a national co-chair of Metro-IAF’s Do Not Stand Idly By campaign to reduce gun violence. Rabbi Mosbacher has been featured in national news outlets, and he speaks and writes extensively on issues concerning social justice, Israel, and Jewish values, among others.
