Books & Beyond: The Rabbi Sacks Podcast
A new Rabbi Sacks podcast hosted by Tanya White
LAUNCHING EARLY JANUARY 2025!
Books and Beyond: The Rabbi Sacks Podcast is a series dedicated to exploring some of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’ most powerful ideas from four of his most influential books.
Each episode features distinguished leaders and prominent voices from the Jewish world in dialogue with his teachings.
Whether you’re a devoted admirer or new to his work, this podcast offers inspiration and insight for these challenging times.
EPISODE 1
A Letter in the Scroll (Part 1)
Dr. Tanya White begins the series with an exploration of the first book - A Letter in the Scroll (what we have termed “The Call”) - with Dr. Erica Brown. Together, they discuss the book’s context, structure and central themes, including the challenge of identity in a postmodern world and how young Jews are reconnecting with their roots in the wake of a post-7/10 reality. They help to highlight the unique message Rabbi Sacks offers on the Jewish role in a global world.
A Letter in the Scroll was also published under the title Radical Then, Radical Now.
EPISODE 2
A Letter in the Scroll (Part 2)
In this second episode exploring A Letter in the Scroll, Dr. Tanya White delves beyond the book to examine how its themes resonate with the pressing challenges of Jewish identity in a post-7/10 world. Joining her are three esteemed Jewish leaders - Sivan Rahav Meir, Natan Sharansky, and Rabbi Dr. Meir Soloveichik - who reflect on how Rabbi Sacks’ profound ideas can guide us through this unprecedented historical moment.
The episode also offers a personal glimpse into Rabbi Sacks’ life and character, featuring insights from Joanna Benarroch, who worked closely with him for over two decades. Together, they illuminate how his experiences shaped the timeless wisdom he shared with the world and how that wisdom can be applied today.
A Letter in the Scroll was also published under the title Radical Then, Radical Now.
EPISODE 3
Future Tense (Part 1)
Dr. Tanya White and Dr. Mijal Bitton delve into the second book in the series, Future Tense (what we have termed “The Narrative”), in a thought-provoking conversation that examines its context, structure, and central themes. They explore the critical question of which Jewish narrative to embrace and grapple with the current challenge of antisemitism.
Their discussion addresses the book’s relevance in a post-7/10 world, where an outward-facing, engaged Judaism may seem increasingly fraught. They reflect on Rabbi Sacks’ optimism for a forward-looking narrative and invite listeners to reflect on what it means to build a confident, outward-looking Jewish identity in the face of unprecedented challenges.
This episode has been generously sponsored in memory of Anita and Alvin Caplin (Avraham Aaron Hakohen ben Moshe Nisan Hakohen v’Devorah and Chana Perl bat Malkah Zisel V’David).
EPISODE 4
Future Tense (Part 2)
In this second episode on Future Tense, Dr. Tanya White moves beyond the book to examine how its themes address the urgent challenge of antisemitism today. She is joined by award-winning author Dara Horn (People Love Dead Jews) and Michal Cotler-Wunsh, Israel’s Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism, in a fiery yet thought-provoking conversation that tackles pressing issues facing the Jewish world. Dara advocates for a Jewish narrative that frames antisemitism as a form of affirmative identity, while Michal aligns with Rabbi Sacks’ forward-looking vision, emphasising a Judaism defined by more than external opposition.
This episode invites listeners to engage with both sides of this critical debate and gain fresh insights from two leading voices in the Jewish community.
This episode has been generously sponsored in memory of Anita and Alvin Caplin (Avraham Aaron Hakohen ben Moshe Nisan Hakohen v’Devorah and Chana Perl bat Malkah Zisel V’David).
EPISODE 5
To Heal A Fractured World (Part 1)
Dr. Tanya White is joined by Rabbi Dr. Raphael Zarum for an engaging discussion on the third book in the series, To Heal a Fractured World (which they have termed “The Mission”). They explore Rabbi Sacks’ vision of the Jewish mission to heal the world, emphasising small acts of human responsibility and a commitment to tradition and ethics over revolutionary activism. Dr. Zarum also shares personal recollections of his time with Rabbi Sacks, offering unique insights and enlightening anecdotes on the theme of Jewish responsibility.
This podcast has been sponsored in memory of Moshe Feig (Moshe ben Chaim Mayer v’Golda Chaya).
EPISODE 6
To Heal A Fractured World (Part 2)
In this second episode on To Heal a Fractured World, Dr. Tanya White moves beyond the book to explore Rabbi Sacks’ philosophy through conversations with four remarkable guests. The episode highlights how the book weaves together foundational themes in Rabbi Sacks' thought: responsibility, covenant, the balance between the universal and the particular, the relationship between God and humanity, and the work of mending the world. It challenges us to reconsider our religious worldview and approach to social activism.
The episode is divided into two parts. In the first, Tanya speaks with those closest to Rabbi Sacks - his brother Alan Sacks and daughter Gila Sacks - to uncover the motivations behind the book and why its themes are quintessentially “Sacksian.” In the second, she interviews two social activists inspired by Rabbi Sacks’ ideas: Dr. Yoav Heller, founder of The Fourth Quarter, an Israeli grassroots organisation promoting dialogue across divides, and Daniel Lubetzky, entrepreneur, founder of KIND Snacks, and social activist. Together, they explore how Rabbi Sacks’ teachings are being brought to life in real-world efforts to heal a fractured world.
This podcast has been sponsored in memory of Moshe Feig (Moshe ben Chaim Mayer v’Golda Chaya).
EPISODE 7
Morality (Part 1)
Dr. Tanya White and Rabbi Dr. Samuel Lebens engage in an enlightening conversation on the fourth and final book of the series, Morality (which we have termed “The Application”). They explore the book’s context, structure, and themes, delving into the nature of freedom in today’s Western liberal democracies, the challenge of fostering moral commitment to a collective “we” in an age of radical individualism, and whether religion can serve as a force for good in a divided world. Their discussion addresses pressing societal challenges and seeks answers through the lens of Rabbi Sacks’ profound ideas in Morality.
EPISODE 8
Morality (Part 2)
In this final episode of the series, Dr. Tanya White moves beyond the book, Morality, to engage with two guests offering unique perspectives on the book’s relevance and legacy. Framed as the “application” of Rabbi Sacks’ big ideas to today’s global challenges, the episode explores how Morality speaks directly to the crises of our time.
Professor Jonathan Haidt, a trusted colleague of Rabbi Sacks and world renowned author and social psychologist, reflects on how Rabbi Sacks anticipated many of the challenges facing Western liberal democracies and how his insights continue to inspire solutions. Dan Sacker, who worked closely with Rabbi Sacks and helped research the book, provides a personal glimpse into the man behind the ideas and the journey of bringing Morality to life. Together they offer a vision of how Rabbi Sacks’ ideas play out in the real world.