Presenters: J

Margaret Jacobi

Margaret recently retired as the rabbi of Birmingham Progressive Synagogue. Originally trained as a medical doctor she has a PhD in Talmud. She is joint Chair of the Liberal Judaism Bet Din and Chair of Tzelem (the rabbinic call for social and economic justice). She is passionate about sharing the cry for justice in Jewish texts.

Ivor Jacobs

Ivor Jacobs, a Founder of Masorti and New North London Synagogue, wrote a book on the history of NNLS with Elaine Grazin. He also founded the Louis Jacobs Foundation and recently retired from a software and print company.

Ruth Jacobs

Chair of the Jewish Representative Council for Birmingham & the West Midlands, involved in interfaith work since the 90’s a member of the City Council & WM Police Faith Forums, Central TV News Faith & Diversity panel, past chair of Birmingham Council of Christians and Jews and Birmingham Council of Faiths, founder of Nisa Nashim West Midlands.

Zoe Jacobs

Zoe Jacobs is a Jewish educator, often focusing on teaching Judaism joyfully particularly in small communities - and how children perceive and process living as a minority. Last year she surprised everyone by taking a job in Survivor Participation in the Church of England, and surprised herself by discovering her skills are entirely transferable.

Zoe Jacobs

Zoe Jacobs is a cantor who has spent 16 yrs at Finchley Reform Syagogue, where she leads the clergy team. Inspired by her education at HUC, Zoe believes in music’s power to add vibrancy to Jewish life. She founded and leads 'Shirei Chagigah’ - the biennial music & prayer conference, which develops musicians & future clergy.

Nicole Jacobus

Nicole is a theatre producer and enthusiasm enthusiast from London. Find her lino prints in the print shop!

Yael Jaffe

Yael Jaffe (she/her) is a rabbi serving the communities of New North London Synagogue and Ohel Moed, a grassroots minyan in Northwest London. Yael attended Brandeis University before studying at Yeshivat Hadar in New York City, where she received her ordination. Originally from South Florida, Yael lives in Finchley with her husband, BZ Gilinsky.

Jonathan Javor

Jonathan is a political consultant for senior politicians and world leaders. He is a commentator for i24 News, is credited with establishing Yom Ha’Aliyah (Aliyah Day), consulting on a Guinness World Record, advancing Knesset legislation and driving municipal reform. He is an IDF combat veteran and holds a BA and MA degrees from King’s College London.

Elie Jesner

Elie is a psychoanalytic psychotherapist and teaches philosophy and psychoanalysis at the Philadelphia Association and The Site for Contemporary Psychoanalysis. He has taught Judaism at a wide variety of venues, and has written in various contexts including for Haaretz. His book on Nationalism, Religion and Zionism will be out in early 2026.

Oliver Joseph

Oliver Spike Joseph is a rabbi and chaplain in Canary Wharf offering faith advice and spiritual support. Oliver teaches pastoral care and is a prison chaplain. Oliver works for the European Masorti Bet Din. Oliver studied in the UK, Israel and USA and was ordained in 2015. Oliver is a cancer survivor and health advocate on genetic cancer.