Rabbi Louis Jacobs, started Britain’s first Conservative congregation

Thursday, July 13, 2006 | by

vanessa bulkacz

london |  Controversial during his lifetime, Rabbi Louis Jacobs, a scholar and founder of the British Conservative movement, is being remembered in death as a towering figure in modern British Jewish history.

Jacobs died of cancer July 1 at age 85, and was buried the next day.

After completing talmudic, doctoral and rabbinical studies, Jacobs was posted as rabbi at the prestigious New West End Synagogue in London. He first made waves when he was nominated for the post of principal of Jews’ College, which at the time was British Jewry’s primary training ground for Orthodox rabbis and teachers; the principal’s position was seen as the last step on the road to the Chief Rabbinate.

Britain’s Orthodox chief rabbi at the time, Israel Brodie, blocked Jacobs’ appointment at Jews’ College, citing his inappropriate “published views.”

Brodie was referring to a book Jacobs had recently published, called “We Have Reason to Believe,” in which he stated that the Torah was the product of several authors and editors, and not solely the hand of God.

Jacobs was subsequently banned by United Synagogue, a move that barred him from the pulpit of dozens of Orthodox synagogues, including the New West End Synagogue.

The incident, which became known as the “Jacobs affair,” is considered a turning point in the development of the modern British Jewish community, as it spurred Jacobs to veer away from traditional Orthodox Judaism and start a new community.

Jacobs and his supporters founded the New London Synagogue, considered the first Conservative congregation in Britain and now affiliated with the Assembly of Masorti Synagogues and the World Council of Conservative Judaism. Jacobs served as rabbi from the synagogue’s founding in 1963 until his retirement in 2000.

Despite the “Jacobs affair,” most British Jews hold his scholarly achievements in the highest esteem. Last December, he was voted “the greatest British Jew of all time” in a Jewish Chronicle survey.

Jacobs wrote more than 50 books on topics such as Jewish mysticism, Chassidic prayer and Jewish views on death.

Jacobs is survived by his children Ivor, Naomi and David, and many grandchildren.