More than 36 volumes of work by Rabbi Lord Sacks to be made digitally available

A digital library, leading publisher and The Rabbi Sacks Legacy are collaborating to bring previously unpublished literary works by the late Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks to the digital realm.

The unique collaboration between Sefaria, Koren Jerusalem and the charity honouring the teachings of Lord Sacks will ensure more of his teachings are accessible to an even wider audience.

An international religious leader, philosopher, award-winning author, and respected moral voice, Rabbi Sacks’ legacy survives in the teachings and writings that he published until his passing in 2020. Yet he also left a body of unpublished works, out-of-print titles, and numerous projects worthy of translation.

Ultimately, all of Rabbi Sacks’ works published by Koren, which focus on Jewish texts and teachings, will be available to the public on digital platform Sefaria—more than three dozen volumes in total.

These works will join Sefaria’s digital library in stages over the coming years, starting with an initial release in 2024.

As part of the collaboration, Koren Jerusalem is publishing new English-language books by Rabbi Sacks, translating many of his works into Hebrew, and reprinting earlier works that have been unavailable for years.

Additionally, The Rabbi Sacks Legacy will develop and distribute resources based on Rabbi Sacks’ teachings, ensuring that his wisdom continues to guide generations to come.

Their website was one of the first to link textual citations to the Sefaria library and is home to a searchable database of quotes, writings, and video content from Rabbi Sacks.

Daniel Septimus, CEO of Sefaria said: “A decade ago, Sefaria was just a prototype, but Rabbi Sacks understood its potential. He supported Sefaria as it evolved into an essential digital infrastructure for Jewish learning for people anywhere in the world. Now, as Sefaria enters its next ten years, we are honored to create a permanent home for Rabbi Sacks’ legacy within the Jewish canon online.”

Darin McKeever, president and CEO of the William Davidson Foundation which is supporting the initiative said: “We are thrilled to support this exciting collaboration that will benefit anyone who wants to engage with Rabbi Sacks’ unparalleled thinking and analysis.”

Joanna Benarroch, global chief executive of The Rabbi Sacks Legacy, added: “Rabbi Sacks was not only a brilliant scholar but also a beloved leader who bridged the wisdom of the past with the demands of the present. This collaboration pays homage to his enduring influence on Jewish learning.”

Matthew Miller of Koren Jerusalem said: “Koren Jerusalem is honored to collaborate with Sefaria and The Rabbi Sacks Legacy,” said  “Rabbi Sacks’ teachings continue to illuminate our path, and through this collaboration, we ensure that his literary legacy shines even brighter in the digital age.”

Sefaria is a digital library of 3,000 years of Jewish texts, translations, and commentaries. Koren Jerusalem is a leading publisher of Jewish books.