Fourth cohort of Sacks scholars announced

Two academics from the UK join the fourth cohort of Sacks Scholars, part of The Rabbi Sacks Legacy, a global programme honouring the late Chief Rabbi. 

Rabbi David Mason, executive director of HIAS+JCORE and Dr. Lindsay Simmonds, research fellow and educator at the London School of Jewish Studies, were nominated and successfully interviewed for this year’s initiative.

They will be now be part of a group of outstanding educators, academics, communal leaders and professionals from Israel, Australia, Poland, and South Africa, all deeply engaged in Jewish thought, education, leadership, and public life.

Through online sessions and a week-long immersive retreat in Jerusalem in November 2026, the cohort will meet leading thinkers, educators, and public figures to grapple with some of the most pressing challenges facing Jewish communities today, including education, leadership, antisemitism, and the evolving relationship between Israel and the Diaspora, all through the lens of Rabbi Sacks’ thought.

Each scholar will also create and implement a project that brings Rabbi Sacks’ ideas to life within their own communities and fields of influence.

Rabbi Jeremy Bruce, director of programming at the Rabbi Sacks Legacy, said: “Rabbi Sacks’ teachings continue to speak powerfully to the challenges of our time. The Sacks Scholars programme is about equipping outstanding leaders to engage deeply with his ideas and translate them into action, ensuring that his legacy continues to inspire, challenge, and guide communities around the world.”

The members of the fourth cohort of Sacks Scholars are:

Dr. Adam Baruch, assistant professor, University of Michigan Medical School, USA; Rabbi Leron Bernstein, director of innovations, Koren Jerusalem, Israel; Rabbi Dr. Jay Goldmintz, educator, Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School, USA; Audi Hecht, senior director of education and innovation, Civic Spirit, USA; Dr. Ayelet Hoffmann Libson, associate professor, Bar-Ilan University, Israel; Zak Jeffay, director of education, JRoots, Israel; Rabbi Matti Laufer, executive director, Yeshivat Siach Yitzchak, Israel; Rabbi Andrew Markowitz, Rabbi, Congregation Shomrei Torah, USA; Rabbi David Mason, executive director, HIAS+JCORE, UK; Quentin Miller, director, Intrinsic Partners, Australia; Rebbetzin Sara-Tal Rehovi, community leader, Jewish Community of Krakow, Poland; Dr. Alon Shalev, research fellow, Shalom Hartman Institute, Israel; Michelle Shelemay Dvir, educator and lay leader, Israel; Dr. Lindsay Simmonds, research fellow and educator, UK; Rabbi Sam Thurgood, head of Jewish life and learning, United Herzlia Schools, South Africa; Dr. Rebekah Tokatlilar, managing director, JLIC Israel, Israel; Persha Valman, chief financial officer and educator, Israel; Yoetzet Tova Warburg Sinensky, educator and Yoetzet Halacha, USA; Dr. Rebecca Winter, Judaic Studies principal, Atlanta Jewish Academy, USA