Nachum welcomed Joanna Benarroch, Chief Executive of the Rabbi Sacks Legacy Trust, to this morning’s JM in the AM to review the recent global event commemorating Rabbi Sacks’s second Yahrtzeit and more. You can read the press release for the event below and visit the trust website HERE.
MORE THAN 150 COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE GLOBE EXPECTED TO UNITE IN REMEMBERING RABBI SACKS ZT”L ON SECOND YAHRZEIT
LONDON – In advance of the second anniversary of the passing of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt”l, more than 150 Jewish communities and day schools from six continents are expected to join together in a global day of learning and Torah conversation, on November 13 and 14. The intercontinental commemoration, being called “Communities in Conversation,” will be inspired by the renowned leader’s teachings and his passion for learning through dialogue.
“As we prepare to mark the second anniversary of the passing of our dear Rabbi Sacks zt”l, his words, and his mission to inspire deeper conversations on what Judaism means to the individual remain just as relevant on his second yahrzeit as they were when he first spoke them,” said Rabbi Sacks Legacy Chief Executive Joanna Benarroch. “In his memory, we will bring communities and schools together to learn and to discuss, sharing his wisdom and his teachings with each other and with the world.”
Thus far, communities and Jewish day schools across Israel, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Austria, Australia, Bahrain, Indonesia, Kuwait, The Netherlands, Mexico, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have registered to host communal learning sessions around this year’s yahrzeit.
The event, this year themed “From Optimism to Hope,” offers participants the opportunity to discuss the writings and philosophy of Rabbi Sacks on the subject. Through curated videos and source sheets, designed to prompt conversation, individuals and groups will learn more about Rabbi Sacks’ philosophy of the differences between optimism and hope and understand its application to their own, Torah-filled, lives. Much like the presentations given by Rabbi Sacks, the multifaceted lesson plan is geared toward spurring discussion among learners of all ages and all religious backgrounds.
“My father learned from books, from text, from laws, history, and from world events. But mainly, he learned from people,” said Gila Sacks, explaining the inspiration for the event. “He would seek out people to learn from, from every possible path of life, and he would do this through conversation – through talking and listening. For him, conversation was a defining and spiritual act, a way of opening ourselves up to something beyond the individual, a training perhaps, for opening ourselves up to God.”
For more information or to participate, visit: www.rabbisacks.org/yahrzeit.
The Rabbi Sacks Legacy perpetuates the timeless and universal wisdom of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks as a teacher of Torah, a moral voice, and a leader of leaders. Through innovative programs and an active digital and social media presence, the Rabbi Sacks Legacy continues to bring the vision and philosophy of the world-renowned leader directly to generations to come. To learn more, please visit www.rabbisacks.org.
