CCJ to reflect on Rabbi Lord Sacks’ contributions to religion, the world

To commemorate the first anniversary of the passing of Lord Jonathan Sacks, the Australian Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ) hosted a Zoom event on November 7 to reflect on the former Commonwealth chief rabbi’s contributions to religious communities and the world.

Remembering him as the “quintessential Jewish writer of our times,” CCJ chair Alex Kats said he covered “topics that other Jewish writers rarely wrote about, like morality, ethics, hope and radicalism, but always infusing each topic with his take on Judaism and with Jewish texts, and never shying away from controversial and difficult subject matter”.

Kats said many of the Christian members of the council are just as familiar with his writings as the Jewish members, “as he also became the go-to writer for Christians wanting to find out about Judaism and Jewish positions of specific issues”.

“He spoke of a vision of a world where difference is respected, harmony is valued and hope is central.”

Guest speakers at the event included Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence from London and formerly of the Great Synagogue in Sydney, who shared his memories of Rabbi Sacks as his research associate in the 1990s and the influence of his writings; Rev Dr Colleen O’Reilly, who shared her insights as an Anglican priest and the influence of his writings on her; and Evan Thornley, who recently converted to Judaism, who shared his reflections on the man who became his primary teacher and the greatest influence in his conversion.

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