The Rabbi Sacks Legacy announces winners of inaugural essay contest

Students from Israel, Hong Kong and the US have won prizes in the inaugural Rabbi Sacks essay contest, a new initiative inviting secondary school pupils worldwide to engage with Torah, moral questions, and the teachings of the late Lord Chief Rabbi.

Launched to mark Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’ fifth yahrzeit, the contest challenged students to think seriously about some of the biggest questions facing Jewish life and the modern world.

They were invited to submit a 1,000-word essay responding to one of five questions drawn from his teachings, their writings then assessed by a panel of eight educators from The Rabbi Sacks Legacy.

The contest drew 87 submissions from 41 schools, with first prize awarded to Micah Jackson of Amit Kfar Batya Science & Technology School in Israel. Second prize went to Lea Rebibo of Carmel School in Hong Kong and third prize was shared by Aria Knepler-Pearl of The Hockaday School in Dallas, and Tali Morgenstern and Nitsan Winter, both of Boyar International School in Israel.

The winners will receive cash prizes, together with copies of the Koren Sacks Chumash and a selection of books by Rabbi Sacks.

Lady Elaine Sacks said: “I have been so moved to learn about the Rabbi Sacks Essay Contest, and especially by the number of schools and students who have taken part. Real thought has gone into such subjects as morality and Jewish identity.  I know it would have meant so much to my dear husband. Thank you all so very much, and a special big mazeltov to the prize-winners!”

First place winner Micah Jackson said: “I really admire the way Rabbi Sacks connects philosophy and Torah, which has had a profound impact on my life.”