Jacobson, Israel

Jacobson, Israel a Jewish rabbi of Germany, was born at Halberstadt, October 17, 1768. He was one of the earliest promoters of reform among his coreligionists. In 1801 he founded an educational establishment at Seesen, in Westphalia, in which Jewish and Christian boys were taught side by side. When the kingdom of Westphalia was erected, Jacobson had the ear of the government; a consistory was established, and he was made its president. In 1805 Jacobson introduced into his synagogue an organ, German hymns, confirmation, and the German sermon. The example set by him was followed by others. When, in 1815, the kingdom of Westphalia was buried under the ruins of Napoleon's empire, Jacobson settled at Berlin, where he established again a private temple of the modern style, in which he officiated as high-priest. He died September 13, 1828. See Jost, Jacobson und die neuern Richtungen in the Israelitische Annalen, 1:29 sq.; Kayserling, Bibliothek judischer Kanzelredner, 1:13 sq.; M'Caul, Sketches of Judaism and the Jews,. page 61 sq. (B.P.)