Israeli president Herzog draws crowd discussing Rabbi Sacks’ legacy

Isaac Herzog has predicted Lord Sacks’ teachings will continue to transform dialogue in the Jewish world as his legacy “grows from generation to generation”.

Israel’s president followed former British prime minister Tony Blair in taking part in the latest in a series of public events known as The Sacks Conversation, aimed at exploring his impact on the community and beyond.

In a tribute video, senior Israeli political and cultural figures including Yair Lapid, Natan Sharansky, former Chief Rabbi Israel Lau, and Naftali Bennett, all hailed Sacks and his impact.

Bennett, who was Israeli prime minister until earlier this year, called him a “proud Jew who made others proud to be Jewish,” saying: “He always had the coverage to stand up for Israel even when it wasn’t so popular, he was always there for us.”

The event at the president’s residence in Jerusalem, which was organised by the Rabbi Sacks Legacy and sponsored by the Wohl Legacy, saw Herzog interviewed in front of an audience of 200.

He was interviewed by Dr Erica Brown, director of the Sacks-Herenstein Center for Values and Leadership at Yeshiva University, whose questions were based on quotes from the late chief rabbi on Israel-Diaspora relations and the contribution of the Jewish state.

Herzog said the legendary author and philosopher encouraged “debate” but stressed that that should not come at the expense of unity. “We should keep knowing the other. We are all human beings and members of one great nation.”

He urged Israel’s supporters – as Lord Sacks did – to get out the message of the country’s contribution from bringing water to parts of the world that desperately need it to innovation in medicine.

The president, who enjoyed a close relationship with Lord Sacks over many years, stressed that there was a job to be done in educating Israelis about the reality of Diaspora life and bringing the reality of Israel to Jews abroad.

“There are millions of Jews who still don’t understand what Israel is all about,” he argued, leaving them open to being turned off by misinformation.

Among those in attendance were former Board of Deputies president Henry Grunwald and former Israeli ambassador to the UK Daniel Taub, who both have roles within the Rabbi Sacks Legacy.

The event was compered by fellow trustee and former MK Michal Cotler-wunsch, who spoke of the Legacy’s “awesome responsibility” in perpetuating his teachings for future generations.

Describing him as “a fearless thought leader who was prepared to engage with all”, she said he built bridges between Israel and Diaspora Jews – something the Legacy Trust wanted to continue.

The gathering enjoyed a moving performance from legendary musician Ehud Banai and was addressed by Professor David Latchman, chair of the Wohl Legacy, who said it was fitting to be honouring a great British Jewish leader in the same week as the country mourns The Queen.

Lady Elaine Sacks said her husband would have loved to have been at the event, adding how delighted she was to see educational projects taking place in his name.