Participants joined from Australia, Canada, Israel, Mexico, South Africa, the U.K. and the USA.
(Courtesy of The Rabbi Sacks Legacy) The 2024-2025 cohort of Sacks Scholars, a program established to further Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks’ teachings through innovative programming, has commenced with an immersive five-day learning experience in Jerusalem. Twenty distinguished Jewish educators, academics and communal professionals gathered for this high-level retreat, marking the start of a year-long journey to cultivate a network of scholars inspired by Rabbi Sacks.
The retreat launched the program, which includes 10 monthly online seminars led by global leaders in Jewish education, academia and politics. These sessions aim to deepen the scholars’ understanding of Rabbi Sacks’ philosophies and strategies for leadership in contemporary Jewish life.
Joined by Lady Elaine Sacks, the retreat was held at various venues in Jerusalem, including StandWithUs, the Lord Sacks Forest and the National Library of Israel.
A highlight of the retreat was the cohort’s exclusive access to Rabbi Sacks’ personal archives, now housed at the National Library of Israel. These archives, currently being cataloged and not yet available to the public, include significant documents such as a letter in which Rabbi Sacks consulted with the Lubavitcher Rebbe regarding his candidacy for the Chief Rabbinate, a handwritten note from Prince (now King) Charles to Rabbi Sacks, and Rabbi Sacks’ meticulously scripted notes for his renowned speeches.
During the retreat, the scholars engaged in discussions on Rabbi Sacks’ Torah and philosophical teachings, exploring his unique approach to leadership. The sessions included moderated panel discussions on “Leadership in Difficult Times” featuring Rabbi Doron Perez, whose son was tragically murdered by Hamas on Oct. 7, and “The Challenges of Global Antisemitism” with Michal Cotler-Wunsh, Israel’s special envoy for combating antisemitism.
Rabbi Jeremy Bruce, director of programming at The Rabbi Sacks Legacy, said: “Rabbi Sacks called for a Judaism engaged with the world and the Sacks Scholars will develop new ways to meet this vital challenge. They join a growing global network of Sacks Scholars, following the trailblazing efforts of last year’s inaugural group, who answered the call to advance Rabbi Sacks’ teachings.”
Joanna Benarroch, global chief executive of The Rabbi Sacks Legacy, said: “In equipping these scholars with tools to spread Rabbi Sacks’ teachings, we are not only perpetuating his legacy but also fulfilling his vision of empowering others to lead.”
Daniel Bonner, executive director of the Paul E. Singer Foundation and a member of this cohort of Sacks Scholars, said: “It’s a real privilege to be part of this cohort of people committed to putting Rabbi Sacks’ Torah to work in the service of the Jewish people, by learning, teaching and serving.”
Rabbi Jonathan Knapp, another Sacks Scholar, and head of school at Yavneh Academy, added: “The Sacks Scholars retreat was a transformative experience. It was profoundly meaningful to do a deep dive into the vision and philosophy of Rabbi Sacks with similarly minded individuals with the intention to spread his vision for improving our society and world.”
