Tributes paid to former Jews College principal, Rabbi Irving Jacobs

Tributes have been paid to the former principal of Jews College, Rabbi Irving Jacobs, who has died.

Rabbi to Wembley’s Neve Shalom synagogue for more than a quarter-of-a-century, he had a long and esteemed career lecturing to academic and communal audiences.

A central figure in modern orthodoxy, he was the principal of Jews College in London where he educated about the Jewish texts.

The United Synagogue’s Director of Education, Rabbi Michael Laitner, said: “We are deeply saddened at the passing of Rabbi Jacobs z’l, rabbi of the Neveh Shalom Synagogue in Wembley and former principal of Jews College, earlier today. “

“As a master pedagogue, author, teacher of rabbis and thousands of other Jews, Rabbi Jacobs will be deeply mourned by generations students for whom he opened up the worlds of Tefilah [prayer], Tanach [the bible] and Midrash study in particular.

“He served the United Synagogue community in Sutton early in his career and was a beloved member of the Wembley Synagogue community for decades.

We extend our wishes of comfort and condolences to his family. May his memory be for a blessing.”

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis paid tribute, saying: “I was very saddened to learn about the passing of Rabbi Dr Irving Jacobs, former Principal of Jews College and Rabbi of the Neve Shalom Synagogue in Wembley.

“For me, Rabbi Dr Jacobs stood out as an extraordinary educator and master of Midrash. His encyclopaedic knowledge, grasp of Talmudic literature and capacity to inspire his students, made him a legendary teacher of our time.

“Blessed with a rare blend of brilliance and humility, Rabbi Dr Jacobs was a person of deep principle, who led by personal example. I shall always be grateful for the inspiration he gave me and many others.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family.

“Yehi zichro baruch – May his memory be for an eternal blessing.”