Press Release
In Memoriam: Rabbi Uri Lupolianski ZT”L Founder of Yad Sarah and First Haredi Mayor of Jerusalem
JERUSALEM, Israel — January 8, 2026
The Yad Sarah family, stunned, heartbroken, and shaken, bows its head in mourning at the passing of Rabbi Uri Lupolianski, of righteous blessed memory—our founder and leader, a man of kindness and boundless giving. Rabbi Lupolianski dedicated much of his life’s work to Yad Sarah, for which he accepted the Israel Prize in 1994. He served as the first haredi mayor of Jerusalem from 2003–2008.
Passing and Legacy
At midnight on Thursday, January 8, 2026 (the 19th of Tevet), in Jerusalem, Rabbi Uri Lupolianski passed away surrounded by family. He will be remembered for his great leadership and for spearheading Yad Sarah’s activities, services, and branches from the day it was founded until his final day.
Biography
Born in Haifa on August 29, 1951 (the 27th of Av, 5711), to his parents Rabbi Yaakov and Malka, of blessed memory, Rabbi Uri Lupolianski was raised and educated in the “HaNegev” and “Torah Ohr” yeshivot, and was active in the field of education and spiritual integration of immigrant children. He also served as a paramedic in the IDF.
He married his wife Michal, may she live long, and together they established their home in Safed. Later they moved to Jerusalem, where, immediately upon their arrival, they opened the first medical equipment lending station in the world in 1976. Within a short time, this became Yad Sarah, the leading volunteer organization in Israel, that today is home to 7,500 volunteers in its 127 branches across the country.
Impact
For fifty years he worked tirelessly for the development and flourishing of Yad Sarah. He established its many departments beyond equipment lending after identifying unique needs and providing comprehensive solutions, and he developed a series of groundbreaking social and healthcare initiatives that deemed him a revolutionary of the Israeli healthcare system.
Honors
- Israel Prize (1994)
- Knesset Speaker's Award
- Kaplan Prize for Efficiency
- President's Volunteer Prize
“Rabbi Uri dedicated his entire life to giving and helping people across Israel. His vision for Yad Sarah has driven the organization for 50 years and so we will honor his memory by continuing his truly exceptional work. He will be deeply missed by all that knew him.”
