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FUNERAL DETAILS


 

John E. Jacobs



John E. Jacobs, 73, of Huntington Woods, Michigan, died on 01 July 2020.

The Funeral was A PRIVATE FAMILY GRAVESIDE SERVICE on Friday, 03 July 2020 at 10:00 AM .

Rabbi Matthew J. Zerwekh officiated.

Click to watch a video of the recorded service.



Jacobs Family Zoom Shiva will be held beginning 3:00 p.m. Sunday, July 5 until 5:00 p.m. for all family and friends to attend. Click here to join the family for the zoom shiva.

Family members include:
Beloved husband of 49 years of Gilda Jacobs; cherished father of Jessica (Joshua) Steinhart, and the late Rachel H. Jacobs; father-in-law of Todd Waldman; loving Papa of Jacob Waldman, Lyle and Ruby Steinhart; devoted son of the late Morton and the late Gilberta Jacobs; son-in-law of the late Hyman and the late Lillian Zalenko; dear brother of Elizabeth Jacobs and Charles Jacobs; brother-in-law of Karen and Robert Wildau; also survived by loving nieces, a nephew, and a world of friends.

Throughout his life, John Jacobs made it his mission to fight for those who could not fight for themselves. A native Detroiter, John attended Mumford High School graduated from Michigan State University and earned his Juris Doctor from University of Michigan Law School. Along the way, he met his wife Gilda and together they raised two beautiful daughters, Jessica and Rachel, of blessed memory.

John grew up at Temple Beth El, but his family did not take an active role in the Jewish community. As an adult, he realized that he missed having a Jewish education. He and Gilda made the decision to create a strong Jewish environment for their daughters and joined Temple Emanu-El. John ultimately assumed the presidency of the congregation.

John served on the Boards of the Jewish Community Center, JVS, and Tamarack Camps and is a past president of Jewish Family Service and the Michigan Regional Advisory Board of the Anti-Defamation League. Additionally, he was chair of the Jewish Eldercare Services Committee (COJES), the Federation Community Services Division and the Government Relations Oversight Committee (GROC).

John had been particularly drawn to serve in places where he felt he could make a difference. In the case of COJES, John recognized the needs of our Jewish elderly and sought to coordinate services for them. At JFS, he felt compelled to help those who were financially challenged or who suffered from domestic abuse, helping to make the Windows Program a reality. At ADL, he helped fight for those who did not have a voice, who would otherwise have been forced to work on Jewish holidays. In his role with GROC, he lobbied legislators for financial support for the Jewish community, ensuring that state dollars were allocated for Jews as well as Chaldeans and Muslims. He also fought to strengthen the Oak Park/Southfield Jewish communities, recognizing the important role that they play in our broad Jewish community. The need to support others was at the very heart of everything he did. From the time he made his first gift to the Allied Jewish Campaign to the present day, John worked to build a better future for everyone.

It is suggested that those who wish to further honor the memory of John E. Jacobs may do so by making a contribution to:

Gesher Human Services
Formerly JVS + Kadima
The Rachel Jacobs Fund
29699 Southfield Road
Southfield, MI 48076
248-559-5000
https://www.jvshumanservices.org/
Click to Visit Charity Website

or
Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy Network
6555 West Maple
West Bloomfield, MI 48322
248-592-2687
https://jhcn.org/donate/tribute/
Click to Visit Charity Website

or
A Charity of one's choice