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You are here: Home / Archives for The "Jacobs Affair" / Primary Sources

Primary sources on the Jacobs Affair

The majority of English Jews witnessed the Jacobs Affair unfold in newspapers and magazine articles. There could one find much of the vitriolic and abusive comments directed both against Jacobs and the United Synagogue. Far more important towards achieving a proper grasp of the issue, however, were the correspondences between the different parties involved in the dispute (the Chief Rabbi, Louis Jacobs, United Synagogue officials such as Sir Isaac Wolfson, the Board of Management of the New West End, and so on), some of which Jacobs managed to keep in his scrapbooks. We are happy to present these on the website for our readers' appreciation.

Statement by Sir Isaac Wolfson, President of the United Synagogue – April 1964

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE SIR ISAAC WOLFSON BT. FRS. Hon.LLD (London); Hon. LLD (Glasgow); Hon. FRCP Hon. DCL (Oxford) TO THE COUNCIL OF THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE AT A SPECIAL MEETING HELD ON 23rd April 1964 — 11th Iyar ... Continue Reading ➨

‘In Defence of Tradition’ by Rabbi Jeffrey M. Cohen

Originally published in 1965 by Hampstead Garden Suburb Synagogue. It is because of the reception it has received and the possible adverse effect that the opinions expounded therein might have upon the less informed, that it is necessary that the ... Continue Reading ➨

A Record of Conversations and Impressions of the visit of Rabbi Dr Jacobovits insofar as they concern the New London Synagogue

Unpublished, personal record of events leading up to Louis Jacobs's meeting with Immanuel Jacobovits, July-August 1966. Thursday July 28th 1966: At around 7 p.m. there was a telephone call from Captain Meyers, Sir Isaac Wolfson’s secretary, to say ... Continue Reading ➨

Cyril Abelson’s ‘Letter to a Student’

Extract from July 1963, from a correspondence which took place between Cyril Abelson and a student at Oxford University, Mr. Blank, on the subject of the teachings of Louis Jacobs.  Click on the picture to read the piece. ... Continue Reading ➨

Chronological Precis from the Board of Management of the New West End Synagogue

Sent to congregants on 27 February 1964 by Oscar B. Davis (Warden), in preparation for General Meeting to be held on 1 March. FROM THE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT OF THE NEW WEST END SYNAGOGUE 27th February 1964 Dear Congregant, In connection with the ... Continue Reading ➨

Letter from the New West End Synagogue Board Management to Isaac Wolfson

17th February 1964 The President, United Synagogue, Woburn House, Upper Woburn Place, London, W.C.1. Dear Sir Isaac, The following resolution was unanimously carried at a meeting on the 13th February of the Board of Management of the New ... Continue Reading ➨

Letter addressed to the New West End Board of Management by Isaac Wolfson

COPY OF A LETTER ADDRESSED TO OSCAR B. DAVIS, ESQ., AND OTHERS FROM SIR ISAAC WOLFSON, BART., PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE 21st February, 1964 Dear Mr. Davis, I have most carefully considered with my colleagues your letter of 17th February. ... Continue Reading ➨

The “Jacobs Affair”

  • Primary Sources
  • Media coverage
  • Defamatory press
  • Aftermath of the Affair
    • Conversion
    • Masorti
    • Subsequent Scandals
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