Former Jerusalem mayor, nonprofit leader, Rabbi Uri Lupolianski passes away

The former mayor of Jerusalem and the founder of the organization Yad Sarah, Rabbi Uri Lupolianski (74), passed away overnight between Wednesday and Thursday. His funeral will leave this morning from his home in Sanhedria, Jerusalem, to Har HaMenuchot, where he will be buried. Lupolianski is survived by his wife, Michal, and 12 children.

“All of Jerusalem, its daughters and sons, bow their heads,” eulogized Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon. “Uri’s vision will continue to accompany our people and our city for many years to come. His passing is a great loss to Jerusalem and to the people of Israel, leaving us profoundly diminished. Yet the legacy of our dear Uri, of blessed memory, a legacy of love, kindness, giving, and public responsibility, will continue to accompany us and our city for many years.”

Born in Haifa in 1951, Lupolianski served as a medic in the IDF. In 1976, he founded Yad Sarah, an organization that provides medical equipment loans, and mobilizes thousands of volunteers across dozens of branches across Israel. In recognition of his work, he received numerous honors, including the Israel Prize and the President’s Award for Volunteerism.

Lupolianski was first elected to the Jerusalem City Council in 1989, serving as the head of Family and Community Services and as chairman of the City’s Planning and Building Committee. He was later appointed acting deputy mayor and served as deputy mayor from 1993 to 2003.

In 2003, he was elected mayor of Jerusalem and served in the role until 2008. He was the first ultra-Orthodox mayor and the first to lead a mixed city. As mayor, Lupolianski also served as a member of the National Planning and Building Council and the National Center for the Development of Holy Sites.

In 2014, Lupolianski was convicted in the “Holyland” corruption case of accepting bribes after transferring funds from a state witness to Yad Sarah. He was sentenced to six years in prison, a term later reduced by the Supreme Court in 2015 to six months of community service due to his health condition.