Harold “Heshy” Jacob, one of the most influential members of the Lower East Side’s Jewish community, has died at the age of 71.
The funeral will take place this afternoon at 1:30 p.m., at the Bialystoker Synagogue. Burial will be at Beth David Cemetery in Elmont, New York. Mr. Jacob is survived by his wife, Esther, and five children.
Heshy Jacob was general manager of the East River and Hillman cooperatives on Grand Street. He also served as board chairperson of the United Jewish Council of the East Side and was Lower East Side coordinator for the Hatzalah Ambulance Service. Jacob was a longtime leader of the Bialystoker Synagogue. He was ill for several months before passing away this morning, according to Jacob Goldman, a longtime friend and owner of LoHo Realty. Goldman said, “There was not a more influential person on the Lower East Side than Heshy Jacob. In every aspect of life here: the co-ops, helping people and organizations. He was larger than life and always willing to help.”
We’ll have more on his life and impact on the Lower East Side in the days ahead.
