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Rabbi Walter Jacob is a leader in Reform Judaism (North America) and an expert in the reform movement's approach to Jewish law (halakhah). A protege of Solomon Freehof, Jacob served at Rodef Shalom in Pittsburgh as an assistant rabbi (1955) and as successor to Freehof as congregational rabbi (1967-1996). Jacob has degrees from Drury College and the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.

Jacob promotes Reform Judaism in Germany, which awarded Jacob a knighthood medal. He is the President of the Abraham Geiger College, a post-Holocaust rabbinic seminary in Germany.^[1][2]

He led the Central Conference of American Rabbis.

In addition to writing numerous Reform responsa, Jacob co-authored a series of works on progressive halakhah with Moshe Zemer.

See also

• Jewish beliefs and practices in the reform movement

Bibliography

• Walter Jacob. "The Changing world of Reform Judaism: the Pittsburgh Platform in retrospect": papers presented on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Pittsburgh Platform, February, 1985 and The proceedings of 1885. Pittsburgh: Rodef Shalom Congregation, 1985. ISBN 0915138794.
• ______. “The Law of the Lord Is Perfect” Halakhah and Antinomism in Reform Judaism in CCAR Journal Summer 2004, pp. 72-84
• Walter Jacob and Moshe Zemer. "The environment in Jewish law : essays and responsa." Studies in progressive halakhah. New York: Berghahn Books, 2003. ISBN 1571814310.
• ______."Re-examining progressive Halakhah." Studies in progressive halakhah. New York: Berghahn Books, 2002. ISBN 1571814043.
• ______."Gender issues in Jewish law : essays and responsa." Studies in progressive halakhah. New York: Berghahn Books, 2001. ISBN 1571812393.
• ______."Crime and punishment in Jewish law : essays and responsa." Studies in progressive halakhah. [v. 6], New York: Berghahn Books, 1999. ISBN 1571811974.
• Walter Jacob, Moshe Zemer and Freehof Institute of Progressive Halakhah. "Marriage and its obstacles in Jewish law : essays and responsa."
• ______.Studies in progressive halakhah. 8, Pittsburgh ; Tel Aviv; Pittsburgh: Freehof Institute of Progressive Halakhah; Rodef Shalom Press, 1999. ISBN 092969910.
• ______."Aging and the aged in Jewish law : essays and responsa." Studies in progressive halakhah. 7, Pittsburgh: Freehof Institute of Progressive Halakhah ; Rodef Shalom Press, 1998. ISBN 0929699084.
• ______."Israel and the Diaspora in Jewish law : essays and responsa." Studies in progressive halakhah. 6, Pittsburgh: Freehof Institute of Progressive Halakhah, Rodef Shalom Press, 1997. ISBN 0929699092.
• ______."Death and euthanasia in Jewish law : essays and responsa." Studies in progressive halakhah v. 4. Pittsburgh: Freehof Institute of Progressive Halakhah : Rodef Shalom Press, 1995. ISBN 0929699068 (pbk.).
• ______."The fetus and fertility : essays and responsa." Studies in progressive halakhah. 5, Pittsburgh: Freehof Institute of Progressive Halakhah : Rodef Shalom Press, 1995. ISBN 0929699076.
• ______. "Conversion to Judaism in Jewish law : essays and responsa." Studies in progressive halakhah. 3, Tel Aviv; Pittsburgh: Freehof Institute of Progressive Halakhah; Rodef Shalom Press, 1994. ISBN 092969905X.
• ______. "Progressive halakhah : essence and application." Studies in progressive halakhah. 1, Tel Aviv; Pittsburgh: Freehof Institute of Progressive Halakhah; Rodef Shalom Press, 1991. ISBN 0929699033.
• Walter Jacob, Moshe Zemer, Freehof Institute of Progressive Halakhah and Central Conference of American Rabbis. "Rabbinic-lay relations in Jewish law."
• ______.Studies in progressive halakhah. 2, Tel Aviv; Pittsburgh: Freehof Institute of Progressive Halakhah; Rodef Shalom Press, 1993. ISBN 0929699041.

References