The Jonathan Sacks Institute
The Jonathan Sacks Institute was established to foster engagement with Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks's thought and legacy, integrate his ideas and values into academic, intellectual, and public discourse, and cultivate a new generation of leaders in Israel shaped by his vision.
Prof. Jonathan Rynhold, Head of the Department of Political Studies, explains: "Rabbi Sacks developed a powerful synthesis between Jewish tradition and the pressing political and social issues facing global society. He was deeply concerned by the threats to democratic societies posed by unbridled individualism and religious extremism. In the spirit of his teachings, the Institute will address these challenges by promoting respectful and equal citizenship, a moral ecology that fosters hope, and building trust and connection between diverse communities. His message is timeless—and this Institute is committed to securing his legacy within the canon of great Jewish and Western thinkers."
Bar-Ilan University enjoyed a close and enduring relationship with Rabbi Sacks. He served as a distinguished member of its Board of Trustees, received an honorary doctorate, and was a frequent and celebrated speaker on campus. His intellectual legacy continues to inspire the University community, particularly the Department of Political Studies, whose founding vision, in partnership with the Rabbi Sacks Legacy Trust, was profoundly shaped by his thought.
Carrying a Legacy Forward: Bar-Ilan University Awards Inaugural Jonathan Sacks Institute Prize to Harvard’s Prof. Robert Putnam
In a powerful testament to shared values and enduring vision, Bar-Ilan honors one of the world’s most influential political scientists in the name of one of the greatest moral leaders of our time.
What's New
Sacks Ideas Presented at 19th WCJS in Jerusalem
The 19th World Congress of Jewish Studies took place at Hebrew U in early August. Twelve papers discussed the ideas of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, among them the following which were presented by Institute members:
- The Religious Zionism of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and the future of Religion in Israel (Prof. Jonathan Rynhold)
- Divine Revelation & the Infinite Flames of the Burning Bush: Continental Philosophy in Light of Rabbi Sacks’ Demands (Dr. Miriam Feldmann Kaye)
- A Dialogical Theodicy: Rabbi Sacks’ Covenantal Response to Evil (Dr. Tanya White)
Dr. Feldmann Kaye chaired the session entitled “Theological and Philosophical Aspects in Rabbi Sacks’ Thought.”
Prof. Adam Ferziger chaired the session entitled “Rabbi Jonathan Sacks in Dialogue with Modern Challenges.”
New BIU MOOC: The Philosophy of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
Dive deep into the profound philosophical legacy of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, pioneered and taught by Dr. Miriam Feldmann-Kaye, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Jewish Philosophy. Featuring original material and rare interviews, this Massive Online Open Course is designed to reach thousands worldwide over the next decade. Learn more here.
Watch this space for sign-up instructions.
Watch the AFBIU Webinar with Prof. Rynhold, "Iran Strike: What’s Next for Israel, the U.S., and the World?”
Watch the “Iran Strike: What’s Next for Israel, the U.S., and the World?” webinar here.
Dr. Miriam Feldmann-Kaye participates in interfaith "Hope Symposium" at the Vatican
Dr. Miriam Feldmann-Kaye, a fellow of the Jonathan Sacks Institute, participated in an inter-faith theological symposium held at the Vatican.
Dr Feldmann-Kaye presented the philosophy of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks to Christian theologians, dvancing "dignity in multiplicity" as a priority for contemporary collaborative religious thought.
Among the participants in the symposium were Archbishop Pache and Cardinal Koch of the Pontifical Council, together with an illustrious array of international scholars and religious leaders from many countries including the Netherlands, South Africa, Egypt and Syria.
Professor J. Jorrit Hasselaar of Vrije Universiteit, who organized the symposium, is the first Christian theologian to author a comprehensive study of Rabbi Sacks' intellectual legacy. He will be participating in a major conference on Jewish philosophy, ethics, and sustainability at Bar-Ilan University this month (June 2025) along with Dr. Feldmann-Kaye and another fellow of the Institute, Professor Hanoch Ben Pazi.
Rabbi Sacks's Thoughts on the Weekly Torah Portion - in Arabic!
With thanks to the Dangoor Center for preparing and uploading Rabbi Sack's Parashat Hashavua ideas, here.
