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“At the heart of Judaism are three beliefs about leadership: We are free. We are responsible. And together we can change the world.”

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, of blessed memory, (1948-2020) was a religious leader, Life Peer in the United Kingdom’s House of Lords, philosopher, theologian, author, and a global voice for faith and morality. He was the winner of the Jerusalem Prize and a Templeton Prize Laureate, awarded for work that “affirms life’s spiritual dimension.” Rabbi Sacks was the Principal of Jews’ College from 1984-1990 (currently the London School for Jewish Studies) and then served as the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth for twenty-two years. In that capacity, he was a frequent guest on television and radio programs, gave the prestigious BBC Reith Lectures and had a long-standing column, “Credo,” for The Times that forms the basis of the book The Power of Ideas, published posthumously. Rabbi Sacks authored close to 40 books, including edited editions of Siddurim, Machzorim and a Haggadah. Many of his publications won national and international awards.

Rabbi Sacks served as a visiting professor of Jewish thought at �鶹������ҳ��� in 2013. He was also a visiting professor at both Hebrew University and New York University. In the United Kingdom, he lectured in moral philosophy at King’s College, London, University of Essex, University of Manchester, University of Oxford, University of Edinburgh, University of St. Andrews, and Middlesex Polytechnic. 

His teachings continue to influence countless people worldwide. was established to expose people to the breadth of his work and provide resources for study and inspiration.

Rabbi Sacks is survived by his wife, Lady Elaine, his children - Joshua, Dina and Gila- three brothers - Alan, Brian and Eliot - and nine grandchildren.

His influence as a defender of our faith and of all faith traditions persists through his writings and teachings. Dr. Erica Brown, Vice President for Values and Leadership at �鶹������ҳ��� and Director of the Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks-Herenstein Center,  him as “a spiritual aristocrat with a regal bearing who inspired with his repeated calls for hope.” His wife, Lady Elaine Sacks, said, “My husband's relationship with �鶹������ҳ��� was one he treasured over many decades. We always enjoyed our visits to the campus, in large part because of the warm reception he always received and, most importantly, because of what �鶹������ҳ��� stood for: a combination of Torah u'Madda, of Torah knowledge and worldly wisdom. It was this combination that framed my husband's life and work. That is why it means a great deal to me and my family to see his legacy and teachings continue in this way at �鶹������ҳ���.” His memory will always be a blessing.

The Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks-Herenstein Center for Values and Leadership identifies and develops leaders through its undergraduate and graduate cohort programs, disseminates contemporary thought leadership through literary initiatives, community-based programs and online education, and provides high-level professional development opportunities to train communal leaders and educators. Founded through the generosity of Terri and Andrew Herenstein, the Center honors the memory of Rabbi Sacks by promoting his scholarship and strengthening �鶹������ҳ���’s core values. 

The Rabbi Sacks Book Prize is awarded to an author of a recently published or about to be published work of Jewish ideas deeply sourced in Jewish texts, with broad appeal within and beyond the Jewish community. The author of the winning work will receive a $10,000 prize, and two finalists will receive $2500 each, generously funded by the Rohr Family. 

Click here to learn more about the Sacks Book Prize.