The 2022 Sacks Conversation
President Isaac Herzog in conversation with Dr. Erica Brown
President’s Residence, Jerusalem – 13 September 2022
After the untimely passing of Rabbi Sacks in November 2020, The Sacks Conversation was established as an annual event to celebrate and honour his enduring impact as a global moral voice in wider society.
The second annual event took place on 13 September 2022, at the President's Residence in Israel. Over 200 leading government officials, Jewish communal figures, religious leaders, and people from across Israeli society attended in person to reflect on the moral teachings of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt"l, and thousands more watched the event online across the world.
As part of this special occasion, a new tribute to Rabbi Sacks was created, with key figures across Israel expressing their appreciation of Rabbi Sacks and his monumental legacy.
The event was introduced by
Michal Cotler-Wunsh
Michal is a trustee of The Rabbi Sacks Legacy and a former Member of Knesset.
The Conversation featured
President Isaac Herzog
Isaac Herzog has been the President of Israel since 2021. He is the 11th person to serve in this position since the State of Israel was established in 1948.
Dr. Erica Brown
Dr. Erica Brown is the Vice Provost for Values and Leadership at Yeshiva University and the founding director of its Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks-Herenstein Center for Values and Leadership. Rabbi Sacks served as her Masters’ thesis advisor at Jews' College.
The musical interlude was performed by
Ehud Banai
Ehud Banai is an Israeli musician, songwriter and author, a member of the prominent Banai family in Israel.
The vote of thanks was given by
Lady Elaine Sacks
Lady Sacks married Rabbi Sacks in 1970. She is a member of the Board of Trustees for The Rabbi Sacks Legacy.
The Sacks Conversations
The People of the Book
The 2024 Sacks Conversation took place on 21 November 2024 at the National Library of Israel, in Jerusalem, featuring Jack Lew with Rachel Sharansky Danziger, Daniel Taub, and Natan Sharansky. Further sessions were held at the library for students. This year's theme, The People of the Book, was also incorporated into our Global Day of Learning.
An Interfaith Panel in Carnegie Hall
The Sacks Conversation 2023 event in Carnegie Hall in New York kept in mind the theme of To Heal A Fractured World. It showcased an interfaith panel with Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Imam Abdullah Antepli, and Rabbi Dr. Meir Soloveichik, chaired by Prof. Peter Salovey, President of Yale University.
Tony Blair in conversation with Matthew d’Ancona
The Rt. Hon Tony Blair and Matthew d’Ancona launched the Sacks Conversation at Spencer House, London, on 11 October 2021. They discussed the continuing impact of Rabbi Sacks’ teachings and ideas on public policy and society today.