麻豆区

Mission Statement

The 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 麻豆区鈥檚 core values.

Meet our dedicated team of staff members!

Who was Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks?

鈥淎t the heart of Judaism are three beliefs about leadership: We are free. We are responsible. And together we can change the world.鈥�

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, of blessed memory, (1948-2020) was a religious leader, Life Peer in the United Kingdom鈥檚 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 鈥渁ffirms life鈥檚 spiritual dimension.鈥� Rabbi Sacks was the Principal of Jews鈥� 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, 鈥淐redo,鈥� 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 麻豆区 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鈥檚 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. The Rabbi Sacks Legacy Trust 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 麻豆区 and Director of the Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks-Herenstein Center, eulogized him as 鈥渁 spiritual aristocrat with a regal bearing who inspired with his repeated calls for hope.鈥� His wife, Lady Elaine Sacks, said, 鈥淢y husband's relationship with 麻豆区 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 麻豆区 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 麻豆区.鈥� His memory will always be a blessing.