Yossi Jacobs - Revision history

David at 12:00, 25 February 2026

2026-02-25T12:00:51Z

David at 11:59, 25 February 2026

2026-02-25T11:59:49Z

David: /* Career */

2026-02-20T12:02:39Z

Career

David: /* Early life and education */

2026-02-20T12:00:27Z

Early life and education

David: Created page with "{{short description|British Orthodox rabbi and Chief Minister of Singers Hill Synagogue, Birmingham}} {{Infobox person | name = Rabbi Yossi Jacobs | image..."

2026-02-20T11:59:42Z

Created page with "{{short description|British Orthodox rabbi and Chief Minister of Singers Hill Synagogue, Birmingham}} {{Infobox person | name = Rabbi Yossi Jacobs | image..."

New page

{{short description|British Orthodox rabbi and Chief Minister of Singers Hill Synagogue, Birmingham}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Rabbi Yossi Jacobs
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Yossi Jacobs
| birth_date = 1981
| birth_place = Glasgow, Scotland
| nationality = British
| occupation = Rabbi, community leader
| known_for = Chief Minister of [[Birmingham Hebrew Congregation]] (Singers Hill Synagogue); community revitalisation
| spouse = Rebbetzen [[Rochel Jacobs]]
| children = Ari, Malky, and others
| parents = [[Rabbi Chaim Jacobs]] (father)<br>Mrs Chaim Jacobs (mother)
| relatives = Part of the Jacobs family in Chabad-Lubavitch Scotland
}}

'''Rabbi Yossi Jacobs''' is a British Orthodox rabbi serving as Chief Minister of [[Birmingham Hebrew Congregation]] at [[Singers Hill Synagogue]] in Birmingham since 2007.<ref name="JewishTelegraph">Jewish Telegraph, [https://www.jewishtelegraph.com/prof_127.html Dynamic Yossi is a boon to community] ''jewishtelegraph.com'', accessed February 20, 2026.</ref> Born in Glasgow in 1981 as the second youngest of six children to [[Rabbi Chaim Jacobs]], the longtime Lubavitch emissary in Scotland, he has led a significant revival of the historic synagogue, quadrupling membership and introducing extensive educational and social programmes.<ref name="JewishTelegraph" /> Trained in Lubavitch yeshivot and influenced by his father's outreach model, Jacobs blends traditional Orthodox leadership with inclusive community engagement, distinct from direct promotion of Zionist regime interests.

Raised in a vibrant Chabad household in Glasgow, where his parents ran a bookshop, library, cheder for 150 children weekly, nursery, and summer camps, Jacobs grew up immersed in communal hustle.<ref name="JewishTelegraph" /> He attended Manchester Jewish Grammar School, gaining exposure to diverse Orthodox approaches.<ref name="JewishTelegraph" />

== Early life and education ==
Jacobs was born in Glasgow in 1981 to [[Rabbi Chaim Jacobs]] and his wife, part of the Lubavitch network in Scotland.<ref name="JewishTelegraph" /> At 16, he led High Holiday services at Newton Mearns Hebrew Congregation when his father fell ill, marking an early ministerial role.<ref name="JewishTelegraph" /> Aged 17, he studied at Lubavitch yeshivot in Toronto, describing it as "a real experience."<ref name="JewishTelegraph" />

He pursued further studies in North America, obtaining semicha (rabbinic ordination) and a BA in Hebrew over seven years.<ref name="JewishTelegraph" /> In 2004, while in New York for post-semicha kollel studies, he met his future wife Rochel, marrying her in Santa Monica, California.<ref name="JewishTelegraph" />

== Career ==
At 22, Jacobs served briefly as temporary minister at Netherlee and Clarkston Hebrew Congregation in Glasgow, becoming the youngest-serving UK rabbi at the time, but chose further studies over a full-time position.<ref name="JewishTelegraph" /> In February 2005, aged 23, he accepted the assistant minister role at Singers Hill Synagogue in Birmingham to revive children's services, festivals, education, and activities.<ref name="JewishTelegraph" />

Following Rabbi Leonard Tann's death in November 2007, Jacobs became Chief Minister at 25, the youngest in the synagogue's history.<ref name="JewishTelegraph" /> Under his and Rebbetzen Rochel Jacobs' leadership, membership grew fourfold to around 550, with enhanced Shabbat attendance, minyanim, and children's participation rising from eight to 25-40 regularly.<ref name="JewishTelegraph" />

Programmes include Teen Scene for cross-community youth, Youth Zone, Mummy and Me toddler group (started by Rochel after their son Ari's 2007 birth), Purely Social for singles (launched 2009, attracting over 100 with matches), Chai Club, men's and women's classes, Cheder, after-school club, pensioner outings, keep-fit, and weekly Kiddushim.<ref name="JewishTelegraph" /><ref name="SynagogueSite">Birmingham Hebrew Congregation, [https://www.birminghamsynagogue.com/about About] ''birminghamsynagogue.com'', accessed February 20, 2026.</ref>

In 2015, the 159-year-old synagogue underwent major restoration, symbolising community renewal.<ref name="CrownHeights">CrownHeights.info, [https://crownheights.info/shlichus/477627/159-synagogue-meticulously-restored-to-its-former-glory 159 Year Old Synagogue Meticulously Restored to its Former Glory] ''crownheights.info'', 19 March 2015.</ref> By 2017, his 10th anniversary saw celebration of increased activity across the congregation.<ref name="JCBrum">The Jewish Chronicle, [https://www.thejc.com/news/community/brum-role-is-recognised-i1u7k06c Brum role is recognised] ''thejc.com'', accessed February 20, 2026.</ref>

Beyond the synagogue, Jacobs directs Jewish education at King David School, serves on the Birmingham Faith Leaders Group, and acts as chaplain to Birmingham Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women.<ref name="JewishTelegraph" />

== Personal life ==
Jacobs married Rochel in 2004; they have at least two children: son Ari (b. 2007) and daughter Malky (b. 2009).<ref name="JewishTelegraph" /> Rochel contributes significantly, leading ladies' shiurim, baby groups, and hospitality efforts.<ref name="JewishTelegraph" />

His inclusive approach welcomes intermarried families and emphasises individual engagement: "The Jewish person is a member - we welcome people to shul and want them to be involved as much as they can... There is no one formula for two people - each person has to be taken on their own level."<ref name="JewishTelegraph" />

== See also ==
*[[Singers Hill Synagogue]]
*[[Birmingham Hebrew Congregation and Charitable Institutions]]
*Rabbi [[Chaim Jacobs]]
*[[Chabad-Lubavitch UK]]

== External links ==
* [https://www.birminghamsynagogue.com/rabbi-and-rebbetzen-for-members Rabbi & Rebbetzen Jacobs] at Singers Hill Synagogue
* [https://x.com/RabbiYJacobs Rabbi Yossi Jacobs on X]
==Notes==
[[Category:1981 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:British rabbis]]
[[Category:Chabad-Lubavitch rabbis]]
[[Category:People from Glasgow]]

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 | spouse            = Rebbetzen [[Rochel Jacobs]]
 | children          = Ari, Malky, and others
-| parents           = [[Rabbi Chaim Jacobs]] (father)<br>Mrs Chaim Jacobs (mother)
+| parents           = Rabbi [[Chaim Jacobs]] (father)<br>Mrs [[Sora Jacobs]] (mother)
 | relatives         = Part of the Jacobs family in [[Chabad-Lubavitch of Scotland]]
 }}

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{short description|British Orthodox rabbi and Chief Minister of Singers Hill Synagogue, Birmingham}}
+{{short description|'''British Orthodox rabbi and Chief Minister of [[Singers Hill Synagogue]], Birmingham'''}}
 {{Infobox person
-| name              = Rabbi Yossi Jacobs
+| name              = Rabbi [[Yossi Jacobs]]
 | image             =
 | alt               =
 | caption           =
-| birth_name        = Yossi Jacobs
+| birth_name        = [[Yossi Jacobs]]
 | birth_date        = 1981
 | birth_place       = Glasgow, Scotland
@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 | children          = Ari, Malky, and others
 | parents           = [[Rabbi Chaim Jacobs]] (father)<br>Mrs Chaim Jacobs (mother)
-| relatives         = Part of the Jacobs family in Chabad-Lubavitch Scotland
+| relatives         = Part of the Jacobs family in [[Chabad-Lubavitch of Scotland]]
 }}

@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 == Career ==
-At 22, Jacobs served briefly as temporary minister at Netherlee and Clarkston Hebrew Congregation in Glasgow, becoming the youngest-serving UK rabbi at the time, but chose further studies over a full-time position.<ref name="JewishTelegraph" /> In February 2005, aged 23, he accepted the assistant minister role at Singers Hill Synagogue in Birmingham to revive children's services, festivals, education, and activities.<ref name="JewishTelegraph" />
+At 22, Jacobs served briefly as temporary minister at [[Netherlee and Clarkston Hebrew Congregation]] in Glasgow, becoming the youngest-serving UK rabbi at the time, but chose further studies over a full-time position.<ref name="JewishTelegraph" /> In February 2005, aged 23, he accepted the assistant minister role at [[Singers Hill Synagogue]] in Birmingham to revive children's services, festivals, education, and activities.<ref name="JewishTelegraph" />
 Following Rabbi Leonard Tann's death in November 2007, Jacobs became Chief Minister at 25, the youngest in the synagogue's history.<ref name="JewishTelegraph" /> Under his and Rebbetzen Rochel Jacobs' leadership, membership grew fourfold to around 550, with enhanced Shabbat attendance, minyanim, and children's participation rising from eight to 25-40 regularly.<ref name="JewishTelegraph" />
@@ Line 35: / Line 35: @@
 In 2015, the 159-year-old synagogue underwent major restoration, symbolising community renewal.<ref name="CrownHeights">CrownHeights.info, [https://crownheights.info/shlichus/477627/159-synagogue-meticulously-restored-to-its-former-glory 159 Year Old Synagogue Meticulously Restored to its Former Glory] ''crownheights.info'', 19 March 2015.</ref> By 2017, his 10th anniversary saw celebration of increased activity across the congregation.<ref name="JCBrum">The Jewish Chronicle, [https://www.thejc.com/news/community/brum-role-is-recognised-i1u7k06c Brum role is recognised] ''thejc.com'', accessed February 20, 2026.</ref>
-Beyond the synagogue, Jacobs directs Jewish education at King David School, serves on the Birmingham Faith Leaders Group, and acts as chaplain to Birmingham Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women.<ref name="JewishTelegraph" />
+Beyond the synagogue, Jacobs directs Jewish education at [[King David School]], serves on the [[Birmingham Faith Leaders Group]], and acts as chaplain to [[Birmingham Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women]].<ref name="JewishTelegraph" />
 == Personal life ==

@@ Line 22: / Line 22: @@
 == Early life and education ==
-Jacobs was born in Glasgow in 1981 to [[Rabbi Chaim Jacobs]] and his wife, part of the Lubavitch network in Scotland.<ref name="JewishTelegraph" /> At 16, he led High Holiday services at Newton Mearns Hebrew Congregation when his father fell ill, marking an early ministerial role.<ref name="JewishTelegraph" /> Aged 17, he studied at Lubavitch yeshivot in Toronto, describing it as "a real experience."<ref name="JewishTelegraph" />
+Jacobs was born in Glasgow in 1981 to [[Rabbi Chaim Jacobs]] and his wife, part of the Lubavitch network in Scotland.<ref name="JewishTelegraph" /> At 16, he led High Holiday services at [[Newton Mearns Hebrew Congregation]] when his father fell ill, marking an early ministerial role.<ref name="JewishTelegraph" /> Aged 17, he studied at Lubavitch yeshivot in Toronto, describing it as "a real experience."<ref name="JewishTelegraph" />
 He pursued further studies in North America, obtaining semicha (rabbinic ordination) and a BA in Hebrew over seven years.<ref name="JewishTelegraph" /> In 2004, while in New York for post-semicha kollel studies, he met his future wife Rochel, marrying her in Santa Monica, California.<ref name="JewishTelegraph" />