Having twice narrowly escaped the Nazis, Rabbi Harry Jacobi, who has died aged 93, became a much-loved rabbi, serving Liberal communities for over 60 years. An active member of the Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR), he campaigned on behalf of child refugees, visited the Calais ‘Jungle’ when over 90, and addressed hundreds of school children.Born Heinz Martin Hirschberg, in Berlin, his early childhood was spent in Auerbach, but refused grammar school by the Nazis, he returned to Berlin, attending the Theodor Herzl Schule,which made him a lifelong Zionist. He celebrated his barmitzvah in October 1938, just before Kristallnacht, forfeiting his 64 Marks of barmitzvah money as part of reparations demanded by the Nazis.
The following February, with a guarantee from his uncle in Amsterdam he arrived in Holland via Kindertransport. After surviving diphtheria in a camp, he stayed in the Burgerweeshuis Orphanage.When Nazi troops invaded Holland in May, 1940, he was among 74 children and several adults rescued by Truus Wijsmuller-Meijer, now a Righteous Gentile. He contributed to a recent film on her life.
In a Manchester refugee hostel his life-long passion for classical music was kindled by Halle Orchestra concerts. In May, 1945, he served for three years mainly with the Jewish Brigade. After demobilisation, he returned to Amsterdam, taking his mother’s maiden name, to work with his uncle, who was helping to rebuild the Liberal congregation. At a conference of the World Union for Progressive Judaism in 1949 he was inspired by Rabbi Dr. Leo Baeck to become a rabbi. Studying part-time for a degree and mentored by Lily Montagu, he was sent to Aberdeen as a lay minister and learned Hebrew, with Prof David Daiches. Through the WUPJ he was introduced to a pen pal in Bombay, Rose Solomon, whom he married in 1957. I was born soon after, followed by Richard and David.
He continued his studies at University College, London and began his rabbinic career at Southgate Progressive Synagogue. Rose and Harry were inseparable and Harry was a real romantic, who loved surprises and had a sense of fun.
Harry was ordained Reverend in 1961 and rabbi in 1971. Southgate synagogue quadrupled under his leadership to over 800 members, with 200 children in its religion school. An interfaith pioneer, he founded the Southgate branches of the Council of Christians and Jews and Bnai Brith.
He moved to Wembley Liberal Synagogue in 1975 and in 1982 to Zurich, Switzerland. Retiring in 1990 he became part-time rabbi of the South Bucks Liberal Jewish community and chair of the Liberal Bet Din. Many converts testified to his warm welcome as they entered into Judaism.
Harry touched people with his warmth, compassion and forthright principles. In 2016 he visited the Calais “jungle” with Lord Alf Dubs which led him to join the campaign for child refugees to enter this country. His powerful video for UNICEF, Harry and Ahmed, compared his experiences with those of a young Syrian boy, a story he told to schools and Holocaust memorial events. As the last surviving rabbi to serve in the Second World War, he participated in the annual AJEX Parade.
Harry was awarded an MBE in 2006 for services to the Jewish community. Harry’s resilience in caring for Rose and his son David before their deaths in 2014 and 2016, was inspirational.Harry loved classical music, bridge , and current affairs and travelled well into his 90s.
He is survived by myself, Richard, grandchildren Joshua, Abigail, Hannah, Yoni and Tali and great grandchildren Zachary and Harry.
Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi
Rabbi Harry Martin Jacobi: born October 19, 1925. Died April 24, 2019
