Rabbi Yaakov Baruch is the founder of the Shaar HaShamayim Synagogue, the Spanish & Portuguese Jewish Congregation in Indonesia, and the Indonesia Holocaust Museum—the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. He studied under Rabbi Haim Obadia at Torah veAhava.

Rabbi Baruch is one of the founders of the Indonesia Interfaith Forum (FLI) and a member of the Interfaith Organization in Indonesia (ICRP). His work predominantly revolves around fostering peacebuilding and engaging in Jewish-Muslim and Jewish-Christian dialogues within Indonesia.

Additionally, he teaches International Law and Humanitarian Law at the Faculty of Law in his hometown. Rabbi Baruch is married to Leah, and they have two children, Levi and Rachel.