By COLlive reporter
Members of Congregation Bais Shmuel Chabad, pioneer of the ‘young shuls’ in Crown Heights, were astounded to receive a personal email from Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Jacobson announcing that he will be moving on Shlichus.
“It is with a bitter-sweet feeling that I write you this letter,” wrote the world-renowned teacher and mentor who had been the shul’s spiritual leader for the last 5 years.
“In a few months, my family and I will ay”h be moving on Shlichus,” Jacobson wrote on Friday. He said that with the advice of mashpiim, he felt that a move to another area would help “maximize our potentials.” He did not say where.
Jacobson, editor of the Algemeiner Yiddish-English weekly, is one of the most sought-after lecturers in the Jewish world and has addressed the NSA headquarters, US Army Chaplains, European Cardinals and large crowds around the globe.
“The end of an era can always become the beginning of a new one,” he wrote in the email, a copy of which was provided to COLlive.com. “As one door closes, another opens up.”
NO BEEF
Rabbi Jacobson, and sources close to Bais Shmuel, confirmed that the departure was not motivated by any disagreements or rivalry, only by his desire to continue a different type of work.
“I am proud to say, that my moving on comes with not an ounce of negative energy; not from me and not from the leadership of Bais Shmuel,” Jacobson wrote in the email.
“We love each other genuinely, and will continue to do so. I will miss you and always continue to cherish my years in Bais Shmuel. Truth be told, in life, you never leave someone behind; rather you take a part of them with you and leave a part of yourself behind,” he said.
Moshe Pinson, founder and president of Beis Shmuel, told COLlive.com “it was a decision he and his wife have made and we were just notified about it on Thursday.”
Pinson said that it was too early for the board of Bais Shmuel to begin searching for a new rabbi.
“We didn’t get to that yet,” he said, noting that the leave was not immediate and that the charismatic orator will be remaining with them throughout the month of Tishrei, “and a few months after that.”
FUTURE PROSPECTS
Speaking to COLlive.com, Rabbi Jacobson shared that he was searching to graduate from position of pulpit congregational rabbi, into a position of global teaching.
“I would like to create a Torah learning center, both on the ground and on the web, where Jews from all backgrounds—Chassidic, Yeshivish, religious and secular—can come and learn seriously,” he said in a phone conversation on Friday.
“I am searching for the right place and model for this type of Shlichus,” Jacobson said. “With the assistance of Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky and many Shluchim, I am sure that with Hashem’s help I will have the privilege to find such a model.”
A few years ago, Rabbi Jacobson created TheYeshiva.net, with the financial backing of Ohio/Florida clothier David Schottenstein, teaching weekly classes via the web – some of which are aired weekly on COLive.
Now, he says, he wants to expand it dramatically by creating a real live center for learning.
B”H TO ASSUM R’ YYJACOBSON WAS OFFENDED FOR NOT BEING RESPECTED…IS TO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT A REAL CHASSID IS, NOT UNDERSTANDING THE CHABAD TEACHINGS…! NOT INTERNALIZING THE TANYA ! THE BI’TUL AND THE SHIFLUT TO BE OFFENDED IS AN EGO BASED REACTION,COMING FROM THE ANIMAL SOUL, OF A SELF ABSORBED PERSON, WHO IS FULL OF HIMSELF,HAS NO HUMILITY ” VENAFSHI KE’AFAR LA’KOL TIHIYE” (”ונפשי כעפר לכל תהיה) A PERSON WHO IS LIKE A LEVENED BREAD RATHER THAN LIKE A MATZA… A PERSON WHO THINKS ONLY OF HIMSELF AND DEMANDS THE WORLD TO TURN AROUND HIM AS A CENTER OF IT… Read more »
OH YEAH GO U!!!!
BEST LECTURER AROUND
SAD BUT TRUE…
He should move to Passaic
Rabbi Jacobson is one of the most talented teachers in Chabad today. True to his talents he has been giving classes in Crown Heights and around the world spreading the wellsprings of Chassidus. His tremendous talent to bring the deepest secrets of chassidus down to earth in tangible way is unmatched by anyone today. Part of what makes him so special is his true desire to impart this wisdom to others. The world at large is truly blessed to have such a unique soul amongst us. We wish Rabbi Jacobson much Hatzlocho in whatever he chooses to do.
will miss you, i’m sure! when I lived in CH I endoyed those shiurim very much. Thank you and hatzlacha raba in all your good work!
Im happy he’s coming to Florida.
I hope Rabbi Jacobson will continue to address the graduating class of Bais Rivkah High School. I still remember his speech to us, empowering us with his words of wisdom, preparing us to go out into the world.
Thank you for being an inspiration to all of us!
Hatzlacha rabba and a gut gebentched yar!
that would be a great place for the model that Rabbi Jacobson to open his model Yeshiva, there are no distractions and the Shetetel atmosphere can add a lot to a serious learning program
come there they need your hadracha
baltimore needs a real ” spiritual leader”
Rabbi Jacobson, you might be moving on from what you have accomplished in Crown Heights, but we truly owe you thanks for it, and we will never forget it.
Your shiurim in 770, classes in the Crown Heights yeshivas and schools; the entire package of your powerful and passionate contribution is a treasure. These bring you a big zchus.
Thank-you
and Hatzlacha Rabba for the future, for you and your wife and children, and students, and future disciples and friends!!
Mushka
This sounds like an awesome idea, however the los angeles has been blessed with a center called maayon yisroel that is spreading chassidus and reaching out to all segments of Jews. If you haven’t been there yet go check it out.
Rabbi Jacobson is an amazing person, and an amazing speaker…..the problem with Beis Shmuel is, that he is basically the same age of most of the balebatim there, therefore, they consider him more a friend then their Rabbi…..maybe this causes the lack of respect that he deserves, as a Rov in a Shul.
we harbor hopes that the rabbi will join us in the struggle for the land of israel and it’s people. he would have a real impact on jewish history, but alas it’s collins ave. and beyond.
There is a extremely Hartzike Yid in CH, that’s also the Rov in camp Emuna, his name is Rabbi Chaim Shuchat, he speaks occasionally in Shuls in CH and abroad, he has all the qualifications to lead BS to the greatest heights possible, I hope they don’t lose the opportunity before he also goes out “on Shlichis”!!!!
Grab him while he’s still around.
Because shluchim in crown heights get nothing. Around the world Baale baatim support shluchim and help them in their Chabad houses and personal lives. In crown heights a shliach has to BEG for donations! And personal life? Not much help there either…. Why should he stay?
We in Miami would indeed be blessed if Rabbi YY woudl come here, believe me he would inject great life in that institution…I hope and pray that it is not a rumor……….
real shlichus is not in crown heights
Stay independent – you need the freedom!
I can tell you’re a BT because your typing and grammar are correct.
P.s. Good point!
The best of Luck to you Rabbi Jacobson. a truly talented and Heartzike Chassid of the Rebbe. He is too kind and soft to deal with the type of people here. I don;t believe they really want to be dealt with. It has become “fashionable” and “acceptable” in Crown Heights for young people to dress and act the way they want and not to be so pardon the expression “frum”. I don’t believe that any human being on earth will change that except Moshiach. Its not serious if someone says they need chizuk in this community. there is no community… Read more »
A yeridah for the good rabbi, for beis shmuel, perhaps even the whole ch. After every yeridah there is a tzurich aliyah so i’m sure there’s a higher meanjng here.
“uhh im taking my talents to soutbeach”
When I was in 9th grade (in 1996), Mrs. Rivkah Kotlarsky (Rabbi Moshe Kotlarsky’s wife) gave us a lecture in which she said that she and her husband wanted to go away on shlichus and the Rebbe told her that here is were they need to remain.
I have very negative vibes about Rabbi Jacobson’s moving away to go somewhere “better” when he knows himself that here is we he has to be.
Why can’t Rabbi Kotlarsky make him a Shliach in Crown Heights?
please give info on what he accomplished here. his Algemeiner work can be done there. what else did he accomplish at that shul. IY”H his incredible capabilities should be put to great use in his new position and may it reach us all.
Why is not Crown Heights considered shichus???
We are losing perhaps the most popular Rabbi in our community.
At a time when there is already a great lack of leadership, to lose a man such as Rabbi Jacobson, who guides and inspires so many in our community and all over the world, is just devastating.
“I would like to create a Torah learning center, both on the ground and on the web, where Jews from all backgrounds—Chassidic, Yeshivish, religious and secular—can come and learn seriously,”
Right there! in brooklyn. The melting pot of all world societies. Chasidic, Yeshivish, secular etc… Brooklyn has the most of them more then the whole world put together. (besides Erets Isroel)
What decision are you on about?
And then they wonder why he is leaving
your funny
Maybe if Bais Shmuel would have shown some proper appreciation and respect this would not have happened. Rabbi Jacobson, good luck to you and your family. We wish you well and will miss hour 770 amazing shiurim.
I feel like Cleveland felt after ‘The Decision’. 🙁
I think it’s very sad and not ok. It may sound good in theory – in practicality he has tremendous impact on people in crown heights that no one else is able to reach – It’s very sad and I think not Crown height’s best interest. Yes he has his own life but it doesnt seem fair. If there was anyway to keep him I would!
Hatzlacha R’ J.
May you truly maximize the huge kochos and chushim that Hashem has given you to make a Dira L”Y.
Duby
Behind the decision is probably the total lack of respect that he is treated with, a few weeks ago at a BS Kidush a member spoke Chutzpikdik to him for not attending a Sholom zochor the night before. Many times when he speaks he’s ” practically begging ” for it to become quiet, the Members of Beis Shmuel should take a lesson to treat thier new rabbi with proper dignity. I was in Eveegreen for a Shabbos this summer, and I wanted to cry the way Rabbi Jacksobson was being respected, why should he stay in CH and be treated… Read more »
…as accociate Rabbi to his cousin Rabbi Lipsker? That would be the ultimate dream team. Who knows?
To all you critics who have a complaint or a snide remark to Rabbi Jacobson (RJ), he was not the shliach at BS, Moishy Pinson IS. RJ was hired as the BS rabbi, be thankful for what he has done, and appreciate what he will do in his endeavers.
The reality is, he is too much for one shule…the world awaits him. How many more BS can and will open because of RJ??. I wish him well.
YTLM.
AGREED. The problem is, the top people don’t think we deserve them & being in CH isn’t “on Shlichus.” I think the opposite, there’s so much to do round here it’s frightening. Just look around you. We need competent, caring people to give us chizuk and rescue our young people. This is a big loss. We’re in galus too.
I heard that Rabbi Jacobson is moving to Florida and will work in the JLC – Jewish Learning Center – by 41st Ave in Miami Beach with support of Yossi Duchman…………….
What about the community? What about beis shmuel? are you going to drop all that, you could accomplish there. Why is CH less deserving of real sheluchim, than the rest of the World?
Ushi is already a big rabbi in a shul in Montreal where hes highly respected…
Bring in his first cousin rabbi ushi Jacobson from Montreal.
He spoke in evergreen this summer he was amazing!!!
Rabbi Jacobson, could you come on Shlichus to CH?
We don’t have any Shluchim here only future Shluchim, CH is where they come from, would you come and be our Shliach?
ALSO FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY! WHAT A GIFTED MAN HE IS ! WE WILL SURELY MISS HIM AND HIS AMAZING WIFE ESTY! WISHING THEM LOTS OF HATZLOCHAH!
Just simply love this guy
This is very sad.
We’re gonna miss him.
why do all the good people leave crown heights? we need young leaders here. Haftazta in Kan Tziva is just as important as anywhere else these days.
Please come to england, please bring all the wonderful speakers with you! I wish the Jacobson family much Hatzlocha in their new shlichus!
Needs you!!!
great idea – ensure there is a solid womens program as well 🙂
Yshar koach for all that you do and may you have hatzlacha rabba in whatever you will be doing
P.S. We will welcome you in open arms in LA
Yes he speaks great, but to leave a position that he has accomplished so much good?, to trade one shlichus for another??
I’m sorry, but to conquer the world, all sounds good and fine but leaving bias Shmuel is like leaving a post on shlichus, especially without a replacement!
what a great man