Harold Jacobs, a past president of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations Of America, died May 18 in Manhattan. He was 81.
He grew up in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, N.Y.
Jacobs, who lived in Lawrence, Long Island, was a former chairman of New York City’s Board Of Education and a successful businessman.
While leading the education board, Jacobs was one of the few members who spoke our against Leonard Jeffries, the City College black studies department chairman who made anti-Semitic comments.
As an officer of the Jewish organization, he lobbied for the United States to have a strong, pro-Israel policy in the Middle East and a tight arms embargo against Israel’s Arab neighbors.
Jacobs also served as president of the National Council of Young Israel.
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