150 Jewish communities around the world to commemorate Rabbi Sacks

More than 150 Jewish communities from six continents will commemorate the late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks next month by discussing his philosophies and learnings. 

The event will take place November 13 and 14, marking the second anniversary of the passing of Rabbi Sacks.

The intercontinental commemoration called “Communities in Conversation,” offers participants to discuss the writings and philosophy of Rabbi Sacks on this year’s theme “From Optimism to Hope.”

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 are expected to join the day of learning, inspired by Rabbi Sacks’ teachings and his passion for learning through dialogue.

“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,” Rabbi Sacks Legacy chief executive Joanna Benarroch said.

The multifaceted lesson plan, which includes curated videos and source sheets, is aimed at sparking discussion among participants of all ages and all religious backgrounds.

“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,” she added.

“My father learned from books, from text, from laws, history, and from world events. But mainly, he learned from people,” Rabbi Sacks’ daughter Gila said.

“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.”

The multifaceted lesson plan, which includes curated videos and source sheets, is aimed at sparking discussion among participants of all ages and all religious backgrounds.