Birmingham Progressive
Ordained at Leo Baeck College, Dr Jacobi has been a rabbi since 1994. She was involved in medical research before entering the rabbinate and has published papers on Jewish medical ethics and Talmud. She is also studying for a PhD in Talmud. Dr Jacobi is joint chair of the Liberal Judaism Rabbinic Conference
Tell us about your family life
I’m married to David Ehrlich and we have two children, Yoni, eight and Tali, five. Family time is precious — especially as I often miss the children’s bedtime when I have an evening meeting — so I always try to be at home for meals. Whenever we have a spare few days, we escape to a youth hostel and go walking in the countryside. We also have a great time as a family at Limmud.
Tell us about a typical week
On Shabbat I take services and on Sundays I am principal of the cheder and teach our Kabbalat Torah class (14- to 16-year-olds). I go into the office a couple of mornings a week. The rest of the time I teach adults, make hospital and home visits, and go to many meetings, such as synagogue executive and council and community groups. Interfaith activities, especially as a member of the Birmingham Faith Leaders’ Group, play an important part.
What do you like most about the role?
There are so many aspects to it and I enjoy the variety. Supporting people at times of crisis, feeling you can make a real difference. Learning from my students as I teach, and especially giving teenagers the space to ask the questions that matter to them.
What do you do in your time off?
I play the violin and am part of a string quartet. I enjoy going to concerts and theatre and spending time in the countryside. I’m a supporter of organisations which work for justice and human rights, particularly the Israeli group, Rabbis for Human Rights.