Though Jacobs was never ordained, he assumed the duties of rabbi of the congregation until his death in 1839.
Though Jacobs took a French Catholic wife, Angelique Charlotte Jacinthe Verneuille (1781/82-1851), he nonetheless played an active role in the congregation, contributing significant resources to establish organized Jewish life in New Orleans.
In March 1828, Jacobs purchased land in his own name to be used for burial purposes by the congregation, calling the benevolent society by the same name as the synagogue.
In April of that year Jacobs turned the property over to the congregation, after its charter was approved.
There are surviving records in the Orleans County Probate Court archives referring to Jacobs' estate.