Chabad Emissary, Rabbi Binyomin Jacobs, Chief Rabbi of the Inter-Provincial Chief Rabbinate in Holland and member of the Rabbinical Center of Europe, was made on Friday an Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau, one of the highest civilian awards given by the Queen of Holland. The honor, which is usually bestowed upon princes of other royal families in Europe, diplomats, artists, and social activists, was welcomed by  Holland’s Jewish community after the growing anti-Semitic rhetoric that has become prevalent in recent years.

The Center for Information and Documentation on Israel, a Holland-based monitoring organization, has compiled concerning statistics that show that anti-Semitism is rising in Holland as Jewish communities are being verbally and physically attacked and confronted with Nazi slogans. 

Given the harsh political climate, the prestigious honor bestowed upon a rabbi was especially welcome by the Dutch Jewish community. The Order of Orange Nassau was established 120 years ago and is awarded annually on the birthday of Queen Beatrix to civilians throughout the country who deserve appreciation and recognition from society for the special way in which they have carried out their activities.

Rabbi Jacobs, 62, was born in Holland and has served there as a rabbi for over 30 years. He has long served as the public face of Holland’s Jewish community and is  frequently interviewed in Dutch media. Jacobs  has taken a strong stand against anti-Semitism and the assimilation that commonly follows it.

“I see myself as a lifeguard, sent here by the Lubavitcher Rebbe, keeping Judaism alive while surrounded by a 70-80 percent assimilation rate. In order to save those who will, G-d forbid, assimilate, we need lifeguards and lifeboats.  The more lifeguards and lifeboats, the more Jewish souls could be saved.” 

Through his activities, he’s built bridges in Dutch society, especially through his interfaith and inter-communal work, and he has been on the forefront of many public battles for Jewish rights. He has also worked hard to cancel the recent proposed law that would have banned shechitah, Jewish religious slaughter.

Jacobs has also been effective in his role as Rabbi of the Sinai Medical Centre in Amtelveen, Chief Rabbi of the Inter-Provincial Cheif Rabbinate and prominent member of the Rabbinical Centre of Europe (RCE), a Brussels-based organization representing over 700 European religious leaders and dedicated to meeting the needs of Jewish communities in Europe.

Dr Benoit Wesly, Chairman of the Dutch Jewish community of Limburg and Honorary Consul of Israel to the Netherlands, recommended Rabbi Jacobs for the award. Dr. Wesly described the importance of the award for the greater Jewish community: “This is an important day for Jews in this part of the world. The award given to Rabbi Jacbos is an honor for all the Jews in Holland. It gives our community great pride and we thank God and congratulate Rabbi Jacobs and his wife on this great honor.” 

Rabbi Arye Goldberg, Deputy Director of the RCE, agreed, “This award is a true recognition of the important work of Rabbi Jacobs, not just amongst the Jewish community in Holland, but in Dutch society in general. In addition, as a prominent member of the Rabbinical Centre of Europe, Rabbi Jacobs helps us assist Jewish life across the European continent.” 

“This type of award demonstrates that the rabbis of the RCE are doing an excellent job of not just working in the communities but also of representing Jewish causes to European authorities and officials.”