Prof. Deborah Lipstadt Awarded Jonathan Sacks Institute Prize

Bar-Ilan University has announced that Prof. Deborah Lipstadt has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Jonathan Sacks Institute Prize for Outstanding Achievement as a Public Intellectual, awarded in memory of Samuel Gewurz z”l.

A distinguished historian and one of the world’s leading voices confronting antisemitism, Prof. Lipstadt is being recognised for her decades-long leadership in combating Holocaust denial, strengthening public understanding of antisemitism, and defending moral and intellectual integrity in the public square.

Commenting on the award, Prof. Jonathan Rynhold, Academic Director of the Jonathan Sacks Institute, said: “Prof. Lipstadt exemplifies the rare combination of intellectual rigour, moral courage, and public engagement that Rabbi Sacks so deeply admired. Her work has shaped global discourse on antisemitism, truth, and democratic resilience at a moment when these issues are more urgent than ever.”

Prof. Lipstadt said: “I have been blessed to receive many honours in my life. But this one, to paraphrase the last chapter of the Book of Proverbs, surpasses them all because of its connection with Bar-Ilan University. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, whom I was privileged to know, was a driving force in shaping contemporary Jewish life. He was unparalleled, beloved and honoured not just in the Jewish world, but in the world at large. I am therefore more than honoured. I am humbled by this.”

Reacting to the announcement, Lady Elaine Sacks said: “Deborah has shown extraordinary courage and integrity in her lifelong commitment to truth, justice, and the defence of human dignity. She well deserves this significant recognition, and I send my warmest congratulations.”

Joanna Benarroch, President of the Rabbi Sacks Legacy, added: “Rabbi Sacks believed that ideas change the world, and that courageous leadership in the public square is essential to a healthy society. Professor Lipstadt embodies that belief, and through intellectual rigour and moral courage has made an extraordinary contribution to public life.”

The Prize will be presented at a special ceremony at Bar-Ilan University in May 2026. During her visit, Prof. Lipstadt will deliver a public lecture titled “Antisemitism: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.”

In October 2010, Rabbi Sacks delivered an academic address on the meaning and measure of happiness in the Jewish tradition at the Center for the Study of Law and Religion in Emory University. The lecture was followed by a panel discussion with Michael Broyde and Deborah Lipstadt.

The Jonathan Sacks Institute at Bar-Ilan University was established in 2023 to honour and perpetuate the legacy of Rabbi Sacks. Through programs and research, the Institute seeks to ensure that Rabbi Sacks' ideas receive the attention and recognition they deserve within academia, especially as they relate to contemporary moral, social and political challenges.