The Office of Rabbi Sacks

What Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks’ State of the Jewish World Teaches Us Today - AJC & Books and Beyond

Jun 16, 2025
Tanya White, the inaugural scholar of the Rabbi Sacks Legacy and host of 'Books and Beyond', teams up with Joanna Ben-Aroch, global chief executive of the Rabbi Sacks Legacy. They dive into Rabbi Sacks' powerful 2014 call to action at the AJC Global Forum. The conversation explores the evolving challenges of anti-Semitism, the significance of maintaining a strong Jewish identity amidst modernity, and the importance of advocacy within the community. Their insights illuminate how Rabbi Sacks' legacy continues to inspire resilience and purpose today.
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INSIGHT

Rabbi Sachs' Moral Imagination

  • Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sachs combined deep religious wisdom with broad knowledge of history, philosophy, and political thought to foresee future challenges.
  • His unique moral imagination allowed him to identify and warn about issues like modern antisemitism well before mainstream recognition.
INSIGHT

Antisemitism as a Mutating Virus

  • Rabbi Sachs described antisemitism as a mutating virus that adapts to the dominant societal authority to justify hatred.
  • Today, antisemitism often disguises itself as legitimate human rights criticism but recycles older antisemitic myths.
ANECDOTE

Sachs' Global Leadership Approach

  • Rabbi Sachs gained credibility by engaging with the wider world beyond religious circles, including advising politicians and leaders.
  • He cultivated relationships across political lines and built trust through personal outreach and accessibility.
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