Eric B. Jacobs, 69; active in Cherry Hill

"In the world of business, there's an expression to describe somebody who brings you along with him, up into the ranks," Rabbi Steven Lindemann said.

"And people say of him, 'That's my rabbi.'

"Eric was this rabbi's rabbi."

On Sunday, Jan. 25, Eric B. Jacobs, 69, of Cherry Hill, executive director of Temple Beth Sholom there from 2006 to 2014 and a longtime member of its board, died of cancer at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Lindemann was senior rabbi at Beth Sholom until 2014, when he became emeritus rabbi.

"I would not be the rabbi here if it were not for Eric Jacobs," Lindemann said. In 1992, "he brought me to this congregation" of 1,000 families "from a small congregation of 275 families" in Hampton, Va.

"He helped me make the transition and looked out for me in every way."

Lindemann recalled that there were times when "he would come into my office and close the door, and I'd think there's a problem."

Instead, Mr. Jacobs "would say, 'Are you OK? You look tired. It's been a tough week.' "

Said Lindemann: "It's that type of support that enables you to do the work that you do as a rabbi."

Before working with Lindemann, Mr. Jacobs was Cherry Hill Township business administrator and chief of staff to Mayors Bernie Platt and Art Simons, from the beginning of 2002 to the end of 2003.

Simons, who was mayor in 2003 and a friend for decades, said that "in my frequent absences, he ran the township for me."

Mr. Jacobs was a member of the board of trustees of the Cherry Hill Public Library, Simons said, and its president from 1999 through 2001.

"During the year of 2003, we were in the process of building a brand-new library," Simons said, and one of Mr. Jacobs' responsibilities "was to ensure that the building progressed on schedule and according to our desires."

Mr. Jacobs, Simons said, was "warm, funny, and effective in anything he ever took on."

Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Jacobs graduated from Akiba Hebrew Academy in Bryn Mawr in 1962 and earned a bachelor's degree in psychology at Swarthmore College in 1966.

He was a programmer and systems manager for the former Insurance Co. of North America from 1966 to 1981, and director of information technology for the Laventhol & Horwath accounting firm until 1991.

He worked as a law office administrator for two firms before joining the Cherry Hill Township staff.

A member of Beth Sholom since 1980, he was a longtime member of its board of directors, its treasurer from 1987 to 1991, and its president from 1991 to 1993.

He earned the David J. Levy Award, the temple's highest honor, in 1997, and was chair of its Torah Endowment Campaign.

Mr. Jacobs was chair of the Synagogue Presidents Council of Southern New Jersey for a time and a board member of the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

"He was a magnet who drew people to him," said his wife, Carolyn. "He was sort of a big, gentle teddy bear of a man and a wonderful friend."

Besides his wife, Mr. Jacobs is survived by his daughters, Lisa and Deborah, and a sister, Norma Miller.

A visitation was set from 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, at Temple Beth Sholom, 1901 Kresson Rd., Cherry Hill, N.J. 08003, before a noon funeral service there, with interment in Locustwood Memorial Park, Cherry Hill.

Donations may be sent to the temple.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.plattmemorial.com.