Hand-picked Jewish academics and educators named Rabbi Sacks scholars

The Rabbi Sacks Legacy has selected the first 27 educators and academics for the Rabbi Sacks Scholars program.  

The 27 hand-selected participants all shared a personal connection with Rabbi Sacks and come from the US, Israel, Australia, Canada, the UK and South Africa.

The scheme allows the participants to delve into Rabbi Sacks’ teachings and will kick off with a retreat in Jerusalem that will provide access to the highest level of Israel-based leaders.

The program will be guided by Rabbi Sacks’ philosophy that “leadership at its highest transforms those who exercise and those who are influenced by it” and that “the great leaders make people better, kinder, nobler than they otherwise would be,” according to a statement read.

Joanna Benarroch, chief executive of The Rabbi Sacks Legacy, said: “Rabbi Sacks was a master communicator, distilling complex Jewish concepts into understandable insights for people of all ages and backgrounds. His timeless messages continue to inspire and guide communities of faith and society as a whole. This program will continue his legacy by empowering his students to share his philosophy with future generations.”

The program will feature 10 monthly online seminars taught by global Jewish leaders in education, academia, politics, and media.

It will also provide each scholar with mentorship, partnering them with experts in leadership development, communication, and new media.

The group of scholars who have been selected to participate from London include Rabbi Daniel Epstein of the Western Marble Arch Synagogue, Ilana Epstein of the Jewish Futures Group, Rachel Fink of the S&P Sephardi Community, Nicky Goldman of the Jewish Volunteering Network, Abi Keene, Rabbi Michael Laitner, Barry Kleinberg, Rebbetzin Lauren Levin, and Joanne Greenaway of the London School of Jewish Studies.