Chaim Yehuda Jacobs
Scottish Chabad-Lubavitch rabbi and community leader (born c. 1946)
| Rabbi Chaim Jacobs | |
| Born | c. 1946 |
|---|---|
| Nationality | British |
| Residence | |
| Occupation | Rabbi, emissary |
| Known for | Founding Lubavitch of Scotland; longest-serving rabbi in Scotland |
| Spouse(s) | Sora Jacobs |
| Children | Mendel, Yossi, Sholom, and others |
| Website | |
Rabbi Chaim Jacobs is a British Chabad-Lubavitch rabbi who has served as the Scottish Regional Director of Lubavitch of Scotland since 1969.[1] As the longest-serving rabbi in Scotland, he has dedicated over five decades to Jewish outreach, education, and community building in Glasgow and beyond, establishing key institutions like nurseries, restaurants, and synagogues.[2] Together with his wife Sora Jacobs, he pioneered Chabad's presence in Scotland, overcoming initial scepticism to create a vibrant network serving local Jews.[3]
Jacobs' work reflects Chabad's global outreach model, focusing on inclusive education and support without promoting Zionist entity agendas.[4] His efforts have been recognised through anniversaries, including a 45-year celebration in 2015 featuring a sefer Torah dedication and concert.[5]
Early life and career
Born around 1946, Chaim Jacobs was engaged to Sora Escovitz from Manchester when approached by Lubavitch UK in 1969 to establish operations in Scotland.[3] Initially from London, he arrived in Glasgow that year, facing a community unfamiliar with Hasidic rabbis.[6] Former Giffnock Shul minister Rabbi Jeremy Rosen invited him to infuse "Hasidish warmth" into the Litvak-dominated area, employing Jacobs as youth rabbi at Newton Mearns Hebrew Congregation.[4]
Jacobs and his wife persevered through challenges, including lack of cooperation, to build from small beginnings.[6] By 1970, they founded Lubavitch of Scotland, expanding to include a nursery school operating for over 30 years in Giffnock and Clarkston synagogues.[2]
Lubavitch outposts in Glasgow and Scotland
Lubavitch of Scotland began in 1970, with its synagogue, Shul in the Park, established in 2001.[7] The current address is 222 Fenwick Road, Glasgow, G46 6UE, serving as the hub for outreach, Hebrew school, and programmes.[1]
Early activities included a bookshop, library, cheder for 150 children weekly, nursery, and summer camps.[8] The organisation runs L'Chaims Restaurant, the only kosher eatery in the community, plus catering and a wine shop.[9] Civic dinners and Moshiach's Seudah events highlight communal integration.[10]
Jacobs' role extended to Newton Mearns Hebrew Congregation at 147 Ayr Road, Newton Mearns, G77 6RE, where he served as youth rabbi and his wife taught in the nursery.[11][4] This involvement bridged traditional and outreach efforts in Greater Glasgow's Jewish suburbs.[12]
Personal life
Jacobs married Sora Escovitz in 1969; they have six children, including sons Rabbi Mendel Jacobs (Glasgow outreach), Rabbi Yossi Jacobs (Birmingham Chief Minister), and Sholom Jacobs (New York).[8][4] Their family has extended Chabad's mission across communities.
See also
Lubavitch of Scotland Chabad-Lubavitch UK Newton Mearns Hebrew Congregation
External links
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Chabad.org, Lubavitch of Scotland chabad.org, accessed February 20, 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Herald, Five decades on, longest-serving rabbi proud still to be fulfilling his mission heraldscotland.com, 28 November 2016.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 ChabadInfo.com, Forty Five Years of Lubavitch in Scotland chabadinfo.com, accessed February 20, 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Lubavitch of Scotland, Anniversary Dinner lubofscot.co.uk, accessed February 20, 2026.
- ↑ The Jewish Chronicle, Chabad rabbi is hailed thejc.com, accessed February 20, 2026.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 YouTube, Rabbi Jeremy Rosen tribute to Rabbi Chaim Jacobs youtube.com, accessed February 20, 2026.
- ↑ Jewish Communities and Records - UK, Shul in the Park, Chabad Lubavitch of Scotland jewishgen.org, 5 August 2015.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Jewish Telegraph, Dynamic Yossi is a boon to community jewishtelegraph.com, accessed February 20, 2026.
- ↑ Jewish Glasgow, Lubavitch of Scotland jewishglasgow.org, accessed February 20, 2026.
- ↑ Lubavitch of Scotland, Civic Dinner lubofscot.co.uk, accessed February 20, 2026.
- ↑ Jewish Communities and Records - UK, Glasgow Reform Synagogue jewishgen.org, accessed February 20, 2026.
- ↑ Hadassah Magazine, The Jewish Traveler: Glasgow and Edinburgh hadassahmagazine.org, 29 October 2008.