Obituary: Rabbi Harry Jacobi, MBE

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.