Podcasts about Chief Rabbi

As Iran and Israel trade missile strikes, Israel's airspace has shut down, leaving tens of thousands of foreign nationals stranded, including thousands of Britons. Among them is the UK's Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, who had travelled to Israel with his family ahead of a planned speech in Munich.What was meant to be a visit of celebration has turned into days and nights under the shadow of war, marked by air raid sirens, closed borders and sheltering in bunkers. In this special episode of The Daily T, Camilla speaks to the Chief Rabbi in Herzliya as he share his experience on the ground, explains why the people of Israel support the war and his reflections on how the crisis has impacted the British Jewish community.Producers: Georgia Coan and Lilian FawcettPlanning Editor: Venetia RaineyExecutive Producer: Louisa WellsSocial Media Producer: Ji-Min LeeVideo Editor: Will WaltersStudio Operator: Meghan SearleOriginal music by Goss Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author of best selling 'Practical Kabbalah' (Random House) available on Amazon.Rabbi's Wolf's work has been lauded by spiritual leaders including Rabbi Lord Sir Jonathan Sacks OBM, the Dalai Lama, and Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu OBM, the Chief Rabbi of Israel from whom Rabbi Wolf received his Rabbinical ordination.

In 2014, the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks stood on the AJC Global Forum stage and delivered a powerful call to action: “We have to celebrate our Judaism. We have to have less oy and more joy… We never defined ourselves as victims. We never lost our sense of humor. Our ancestors were sometimes hated by gentiles, but they defined themselves as the people loved by God.” Over a decade later, at AJC Global Forum 2025, AJC's Director of Jewish Communal Partnerships, Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman, revisits that message in a special crossover episode between People of the Pod and Books and Beyond, the podcast of the Rabbi Sacks Legacy. She speaks with Dr. Tanya White, one of the inaugural Sacks Scholars and host of Books and Beyond, and Joanna Benarroch, Global Chief Executive of the Legacy, about Rabbi Sacks's enduring wisdom and what it means for the Jewish future. Resources: The State of the Jewish World Address: Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks The Inaugural Sacks Conversation with Tony Blair Listen – AJC Podcasts: The Forgotten Exodus: Untold stories of Jews who left or were driven from Arab nations and Iran People of the Pod:  Latest Episodes:  “They Were Bridge Builders”: Remembering Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky AJC's CEO Ted Deutch: Messages That Moved Me After the D.C. Tragedy Follow People of the Pod on your favorite podcast app, and learn more at AJC.org/PeopleofthePod You can reach us at: peopleofthepod@ajc.org If you've appreciated this episode, please be sure to tell your friends, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Transcript of the Interview: Manya Brachear Pashman: On this week 16 years ago, the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks published Future Tense, a powerful vision of the future of Judaism, Jewish life, and the state of Israel in the 21st Century. Five years later, he delivered a progress report on that future to AJC Global Forum.  On the sidelines of this year's Global Forum, my colleague Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman spoke with two guests from the Rabbi Sacks Legacy, which was established after his death in 2020 to preserve and teach his timeless and universal wisdom. Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:   In 2014, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks addressed our Global Forum stage to offer the state of the Jewish world. Modeled after the US President's State of the Union speech given every year before Congress and the American people, this address was intended to offer an overview of what the Jewish people were experiencing, and to look towards our future. The full video is available on AJC's website as well as the Sacks Legacy website. For today's episode, we are holding a crossover between AJC's People of the Pod podcast and Books and Beyond, the Rabbi Sacks podcast. On Books and Beyond, each episode features experts reflecting on particular works from Rabbi Sacks. Channeling that model, we'll be reflecting on Rabbi Sacks' State of the Jewish World here at AJC's 2025 Global Forum in New York. AJC has long taken inspiration from Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks and today, AJC and the Rabbi Sacks legacy have developed a close partnership. To help us understand his insights, I am joined by two esteemed guests. Dr. Tanya White is one of the inaugural Sacks Scholars and the founder and host of the podcast Books and Beyond, the Rabbi Sacks podcast. Joanna Benarroch is the Global Chief Executive of the Rabbi Sacks legacy. And prior to that, worked closely with Rabbi Sacks for over two decades in the Office of the Chief Rabbi.  Joanna, Tanya, thank you for being with us here at AJC's Global Forum.  Tanya White:   It's wonderful to be with you, Meggie. Joanna Benarroch:   Thank you so much, Meggie.  Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:   I want to get to the State of the Jewish World. I vividly remember that address. I was with thousands of people in the room, Jews from different walks of life, Jews from around the globe, as well as a number of non-Jewish leaders and dignitaries. And what was so special is that each of them held onto every single word.  He identifies these three areas of concern: a resurgence of antisemitism in Europe, delegitimization of Israel on the global stage, and the Iranian regime's use of terror and terror proxies towards Israel.  This was 2014, so with exception of, I would say today, needing to broaden, unfortunately, antisemitism far beyond Europe, to the skyrocketing rates we're living through today, it's really remarkable the foresight and the relevance that these areas he identified hold.  What do you think allowed Rabbi Sacks to see and understand these challenges so early, before many in the mainstream did? And how is his framing of antisemitism and its associated threats different from others? And I'll let  Tanya jump in and start. Tanya White:  So firstly, I think there was something very unique about Rabbi Sacks. You know, very often, since he passed, we keep asking the question, how was it that he managed to reach such a broad and diverse audience, from non Jews and even in the Jewish world, you will find Rabbi Sacks his books in a Chabad yeshiva, even a Haredi yeshiva, perhaps, and you will find them in a very left, liberal Jewish institution. There's something about his works, his writing, that somehow fills a space that many Jews of many denominations and many people, not just Jews, are searching for. And I think this unique synthesis of his knowledge, he was clearly a religious leader, but he wasn't just uniquely a religious leader.  He was a scholar of history, of philosophy, of political thought, and the ability to, I think, be able to not just read and have the knowledge, but to integrate the knowledge with what's going on at this moment is something that takes extreme prowess and a very deep sense of moral clarity that Rabbi Sacks had. And I would say more than moral clarity, is a moral imagination. I think it was actually Tony Blair. He spoke about the fact that Rabbi Sacks had this ability, this kind of, I think he even used the term moral imagination, that he was able to see something that other people just couldn't see.  Professor Berman from University of Bar Ilan, Joshua Berman, a brilliant Bible scholar. So he was very close to Rabbi Sacks, and he wrote an article in Israeli, actually, an Israeli newspaper, and he was very bold in calling Rabbi Sacks a modern day prophet.  What is a prophet? A prophet is someone who is able to see a big picture and is able to warn us when we're veering in the wrong direction. And that's what you see in the AJC address, and it's quite incredible, because it was 11 years ago, 2014. And he could have stood up today and said exactly the same thing. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks:  But there is nonetheless a new antisemitism. Unlike the old it isn't hatred of Jews for being a religion. It isn't hatred of Jews as a race. It is hatred of Jews as a sovereign nation in their own land, but it has taken and recycled all the old myths. From the blood libel to the Protocols of the Elders of Zion.  Though I have to confess, as I said to the young leaders this morning, I have a very soft spot for antisemites, because they say the nicest things about Jews. I just love the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Because, according to this, Jews control the banks, Jews control the media, Jews control the world. Little though they know, we can't even control a shul board meeting. Tanya White:  So what's fascinating is, if you look at his book Future Tense, which was penned in 2009.The book itself is actually a book about antisemitism, and you'll note its title is very optimistic, Future Tense, because Rabbi Sacks truly, deeply believed, even though he understood exactly what antisemitism was, he believed that antisemitism shouldn't define us. Because if antisemitism defines who we are, we'll become the victims of external circumstances, rather than the agents of change in the future.  But he was very precise in his description of antisemitism, and the way in which he describes it has actually become a prism through which many people use today. Some people don't even quote him. We were discussing it yesterday, Joanna, he called it a mutating virus, and he speaks about the idea that antisemitism is not new, and in every generation, it comes in different forms. But what it does is like a virus. It attacks the immune system by mutating according to how the system is at the time.  So for example, today, people say, I'm not antisemitic, I'm just anti-Zionist. But what Rabbi Sacks said is that throughout history, when people sought to justify their antisemitism, they did it by recourse to the highest source of authority within that culture. So for example, in the Middle Ages, the highest recourse of authority was religion. So obviously we know the Christian pogroms and things that happen were this recourse the fact, well, the Jews are not Christians, and therefore we're justified in killing them.  In the Enlightenment period, it was science. So we have the and the Scientific Study of Race, right and Social Darwinism, which was used to predicate the Nazi ideology. Today, the highest value is, as we all know, human rights.  And so the virus of antisemitism has mutated itself in order to look like a justification of human rights. If we don't challenge that, we are going to end up on the wrong side of history. And unfortunately, his prediction we are seeing come very much to light today. Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  I want to turn to a different topic, and this actually transitioned well, because Tanya, you raised Prime Minister Tony Blair. Joanna, for our listeners who may have less familiarity with Rabbi Sacks, I would love for you to fill in a larger picture of Rabbi Sacks as one of the strongest global Jewish advocates of our time. He was a chief rabbi, his torah knowledge, his philosophical works make him truly a religious and intellectual leader of our generation.  At the same time, he was also counsel to the royal family, to secular thought leaders, world leaders, and in his remarks here at Global Forum, he actually raised addressing leading governing bodies at the European Union at that time, including Chancellor Merkel. These are not the halls that rabbis usually find themselves in. So I would love for you to explain to our audience, help us understand this part of Rabbi Sacks' life and what made him so effective in it.  Joanna Benarroch:  Thanks, Meggie. Over the last couple of weeks, I spent quite a bit of time with people who have been interested in learning more about Rabbi Sacks and looking at his archive, which we've just housed at the National Library in Israel. Then I spent quite a significant amount of time with one of our Sacks Scholars who's doing a project on exactly this.  How did he live that Judaism, engaged with the world that he wrote so eloquently about when he stepped down as chief rabbi. And a couple of days ago, I got an email, actually sent to the Sacks Scholar that I spent time with, from the gifted archivist who's working on cataloging Rabbi Sacks' archive. She brought our attention to a video that's on our website.  Rabbi Sacks was asked by a young woman who was a student at Harvard doing a business leadership course, and she asked Rabbi Sacks for his help with her assignment. So he answered several questions, but the question that I wanted to bring to your attention was: what difference have you sought to make in the world?  The difference that he sought to make in the world, and this is what he said, “is to make Judaism speak to people who are in the world, because it's quite easy being religious in a house of worship, in a synagogue or church, or even actually at home or in the school. But when you're out there in the marketplace, how do you retain those strong values?  And secondly, the challenge came from University. I was studying philosophy at a time when there were virtually no philosophers who were religious believers, or at least, none who were prepared to publicly confess to that. So the intellectual challenges were real. So how do you make Judaism speak to people in those worlds, the world of academic life, the world of economy?  And in the end, I realized that to do that credibly, I actually had to go into the world myself, whether it was broadcasting for the BBC or writing for The Times, and getting a little street cred in the world itself, which actually then broadened the mission. And I found myself being asked by politicians and people like that to advise them on their issues, which forced me to widen my boundaries.” So from the very beginning, I was reminded that John–he wrote a piece. I don't know if you recall, but I think it was in 2005, maybe a little bit earlier. He wrote a piece for The Times about the two teenagers killed a young boy, Jamie Bulger, and he wrote a piece in The Times. And on the back of that, John Major, the prime minister at the time, called him in and asked him for his advice.  Following that, he realized that he had something to offer, and what he would do is he would host dinners at home where he would bring key members of either the parliament or others in high positions to meet with members of the Jewish community. He would have one on one meetings with the Prime Minister of the time and others who would actually come and seek his advice and guidance.  As Tanya reflected, he was extremely well read, but these were books that he read to help him gain a better understanding into the world that we're living in. He took his time around general elections to ring and make contact with those members of parliament that had got in to office, from across the spectrum. So he wasn't party political. He spoke to everybody, and he built up. He worked really hard on those relationships.  People would call him and say so and so had a baby or a life cycle event, and he would make a point of calling and making contact with them. And you and I have discussed the personal effect that he has on people, making those building those relationships. So he didn't just do that within the Jewish community, but he really built up those relationships and broaden the horizons, making him a sought after advisor to many.  And we came across letters from the current king, from Prince Charles at the time, asking his guidance on a speech, or asking Gordon Brown, inviting him to give him serious advice on how to craft a good speech, how long he should speak for? And Gordon Brown actually gave the inaugural annual lecture, Memorial Lecture for Rabbi Sacks last in 2023 and he said, I hope my mentor will be proud of me.  And that gave us, I mean, it's emotional talking about it, but he really, really worked on himself. He realized he had something to offer, but also worked on himself in making his ideas accessible to a broad audience. So many people could write and can speak. He had the ability to do both, but he worked on himself from quite a young age on making his speeches accessible. In the early days, they were academic and not accessible. Why have a good message if you can't share it with a broad audience? Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  What I also am thinking about, we're speaking, of course, here at an advocacy conference. And on the one hand, part of what you're describing are the foundations of being an excellent Jewish educator, having things be deeply accessible.  But the other part that feels very relevant is being an excellent global Jewish advocate is engaging with people on all sides and understanding that we need to engage with whomever is currently in power or may who may be in power in four years. And it again, speaks to his foresight.  Joanna Benarroch:  You know, to your point about being prophetic, he was always looking 10, 15, 20 years ahead. He was never looking at tomorrow or next week. He was always, what are we doing now that can affect our future? How do I need to work to protect our Jewish community? He was focused whilst he was chief rabbi, obviously on the UK, but he was thinking about the global issues that were going to impact the Jewish community worldwide. Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  Yes. I want to turn to the antidote that Rabbi Sacks proposed when he spoke here at Global Forum. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks:  I will tell you the single most important thing we have to do, more important than all the others. We have to celebrate our Judaism. We have to have less oy and more joy.  Do you know why Judaism survived? I'll tell you. Because we never defined ourselves as victims. Because we never lost our sense of humor. Because never in all the centuries did we internalize the disdain of the world. Yes, our ancestors were sometimes hated by gentiles, but they defined themselves as the people loved by God. Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  So he highlights the need to proudly embrace the particularism of Judaism, which really in today's world, feels somewhat at odds with the very heavy reliance we have on universalism in Western society. And underpinning this, Rabbi Sacks calls on us to embrace the joy of Judaism, simchatah, Chaim, or, as he so fittingly puts it, less oy and more joy. How did both of these shape Rabbi Sacks's wider philosophy and advocacy, and what do they mean for us today? Tanya White:  Rabbi Sacks speaks about the idea of human beings having a first and second language. On a metaphorical level, a second language is our particularities. It's the people, it's the family we're born. We're born into. It's where we learn who we are. It's what we would call today in sociology, our thick identity. Okay, it's who, who I am, what I believe in, where I'm going to what my story is. But all of us as human beings also have a first language. And that first language can be, it can manifest itself in many different ways. First language can be a specific society, a specific nation, and it can also be a global my global humanity, my first language, though, has to, I have to be able to speak my first language, but to speak my first language, meaning my universal identity, what we will call today, thin identity. It won't work if I don't have a solid foundation in my thick identity, in my second language. I have nothing to offer my first language if I don't have a thick, particular identity.  And Rabbi Sacks says even more than that. As Jews, we are here to teach the world the dignity of difference. And this was one of Rabbi Sacks' greatest messages. He has a book called The Dignity of Difference, which he wrote on the heels of 9/11. And he said that Judaism comes and you have the whole story of Babel in the Bible, where the people try to create a society that is homogenous, right? The narrative begins, they were of one people and one language, you know, and what, and a oneness of things. Everyone was the same. And Rabbi Sacks says that God imposes diversity on them. And then sees, can they still be unified, even in their diversity? And they can't.  So Rabbi Sacks answers that the kind of antidote to that is Abraham. Who is Abraham? Abraham the Ivri. Ivri is m'ever, the other. Abraham cut this legacy. The story of Abraham is to teach the world the dignity of difference.  And one of the reasons we see antisemitism when it rears its head is when there is no tolerance for the other in society. There is no tolerance for the particular story. For my second language. For the way in which I am different to other people. There's no real space for diversity, even when we may use hashtags, okay, or even when we may, you know, proclaim that we are a very diverse society. When there is no space for the Jew, that's not true dignifying of difference. And so I think for Rabbi Sacks, he told someone once that one of his greatest, he believed, that one of his greatest novelties he brought into the world was the idea of Torah and chochma, which is torah and wisdom, universal wisdom. And Rabbi Sacks says that we need both.  We need to have the particularity of our identity, of our language, of our literacy, of where we came from, of our belief system. But at the same time, we also need to have universal wisdom, and we have to constantly be oscillating and be kind of trying to navigate the space between these two things. And that's exactly what Rabbi Sacks did.  And so I would say, I'll actually just finish with a beautiful story that he used to always tell. He would tell the story, and he heard this story from the late Lubavitcher, Menachem Schneerson, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, who was a very big influence on Rabbi Sacks and the leader of the Chabad movement.  So in the story, there's two people that are schlepping rocks up a mountain, two workers, and one of them just sees his bags that are full of rocks and just sees no meaning or purpose in his work. The other understands that he's carrying diamonds in his bag.  And one day they get a different bag, and in that bag there's rubies, and the person who carries the rocks sees the rubies as rocks, again, sees that as a burden. But the person who's carrying the rubies and understands their value, even though they may not be diamonds, understands the values of the stones, will see them in a different way.  The Lubavitcher Rebbe said, if we see our identity, our Judaism, as stones to carry as a burden that we have to just schlep up a mountain, then we won't see anyone else's particular religion or particular belief system or particularity as anything to be dignified or to be valued.  But if we see our religion as diamonds, we'll understand that other people's religions, though for me, they may be rubies, they're still of value. You have to understand that your religion is diamonds, and you have to know what your religion is, understand what it is. You have to embrace your particularity. You have to engage with it, value it, and then go out into the world and advocate for it. And that, to me, was exactly what Rabbi Sacks did. Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  So much of what you're outlining is the underpinning of being a successful engager in interfaith and inter religious work. And Rabbi Sacks, of course, was such a leader there. At  AJC, we have taken inspiration from Rabbi Sacks and have long engaged in interfaith and inter-religious work, that's exactly a linchpin of it, of preaching one's own faith in order to engage with others. Tanya White:  That's the oy and the joy. For Rabbi Sacks, it's exactly that, if I see it as the oy, which is schlepping it up the mountain, well, I'm not going to be a very good advocate, but if I see it as the joy, then my advocacy, it's like it shines through. Joanna Benarroch:  It's very interesting, because he was interviewed by Christian Amanpour on CNN in 2014 just after he stepped down, as she she quoted the phrase “less oy and more joy” back to him, referring to his description of the Jewish community. When he came into office in 1991 he was worried about rising assimilation and out-marriage. And she said: How did you turn it around?  He said, “We've done the book of Lamentations for many centuries. There's been a lot of antisemitism and a lot of negativity to Jewish identity. And if you think of yourself, exactly as you're describing, as the people who get hated by others, or you've got something too heavy to carry, you're not going to want to hand that on to your children.  If you've got a very open society, the question is, why should I be anything in particular? Being Jewish is a very particular kind of Jewish identity, but I do feel that our great religious traditions in Judaism is the classic instance of this.  We have enormous gifts to offer in the 21st century, a very strong sense of community, very supportive families, a dedicated approach to education. And we do well with our children. We're a community that believes in giving. We are great givers, charitably and in other ways.  So I think when you stay firm in an identity, it helps you locate yourself in a world that sometimes otherwise can be seen to be changing very fast and make people very anxious. I think when you're rooted in a people that comes through everything that fate and history can throw at it, and has kept surviving and kept being strong and kept going, there's a huge thing for young people to carry with them.” And then he adds, to finish this interview, he said, “I think that by being what we uniquely are, we contribute to humanity what only we can give.” What Rabbi Sacks had was a deep sense of hope. He wore a yellow tie to give people hope and to make them smile. That's why he wore a yellow tie on major occasions. You know, sunshine, bringing hope and a smile to people's faces. And he had hope in humanity and in the Jewish people.  And he was always looking to find good in people and things. And when we talk about less oy and more joy. He took pleasure in the simple things in life. Bringing music into the community as a way to uplift and bring the community together.  We just spent a lovely Shabbat together with AJC, at the AJC Shabbaton with the students. And he would have loved nothing more than being in shul, in synagogue with the community and joining in.  Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  Thank you Joanna, and that's beautiful. I want to end our conversation by channeling how Rabbi Sacks concluded his 2014 address. He speaks about the need for Jewish unity at that time. Let's take a listen.  Rabbi Jonathan Sacks:  We must learn to overcome our differences and our divisions as Jews and work together as a global people. Friends, consider this extraordinary historical fact: Jews in history have been attacked by some of the greatest empires the world has ever known, empires that bestrode the narrow world like a colossus. That seemed invulnerable in their time. Egypt of the pharaohs, Assyria, Babylonia, the Alexandrian Empire, the Roman Empire, the medieval empires of Christianity and Islam, all the way up to the Third Reich and the Soviet Union. Each one of those, seemingly invulnerable, has been consigned to history, while our tiny people can still stand and sing Am Yisrael Chai. Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  In Rabbi Sacks' A Letter in the Scroll, he talks about the seminal moment in his life when he most deeply understood Jewish peoplehood and unity. And that was 1967, the Six Day War, when the Jewish people, of course, witnessed the State of Israel on the brink of existential threat. To our AJC audience, this may ring particularly familiar because it was evoked in a piece by Mijal Bitton, herself a Sacks Scholar, a guest on our podcast, a guest Tanya on your podcast, who wrote a piece about a month after 10/7 titled "That Pain You're Feeling is Peoplehood'.  And that piece went viral in the Jewish world. And she draws this parallel between the moment that Rabbi Sacks highlights in 1967 and 10, seven, I should note, Tanya, of course, is referenced in that article that Mijal wrote. For our audiences, help us understand the centrality of peoplehood and unity to Rabbi Sacks' vision of Judaism. And as we now approach a year and a half past 10/7 and have seen the resurgence of certain communal fractures, what moral clarity can we take from Rabbi Sacks in this moment? Tanya White:  Okay, so it's interesting you talked about Mijal, because I remember straight after 7/10 we were in constant conversation–how it was impacting us, each of us in our own arenas, in different ways. And one of the things I said to her, which I found really comforting, was her constant ability to be in touch. And I think like this, you know, I like to call it after the name of a book that I read to my kid, The Invisible String. This idea that there are these invisible strings. In the book, the mother tells the child that all the people we love have invisible strings that connect us. And when we pull on the string, they feel it the other side.  1967 was the moment Rabbi Sacks felt that invisible pull on the string. They have a very similar trajectory. The seventh of October was the moment in which many, many Jews, who were perhaps disengaged, maybe a little bit ambivalent about their Jewish identity, they felt the tug of that invisible string. And then the question is, what do we do in order to maintain that connection? And I think for Rabbi Sacks, that was really the question. He speaks about 1967 being the moment in which he says, I realized at that moment every, you know, in Cambridge, and everything was about choice. And, you know, 1960s philosophy and enlightenment philosophy says, at that moment, I realized I hadn't chosen Judaism. Judaism had chosen me.  And from that moment forth, Rabbi Sacks feels as if he had been chosen. Judaism had chosen him for a reason. He was a Jew for a reason. And I think today, many, many Jews are coming back to that question. What does it mean that I felt that pull of the string on the seventh of October?  Rabbi Sacks' answer to that question of, where do we go from here? I think very simply, would be to go back to the analogy. You need to work out why Judaism is a diamond. And once you understand why Judaism is a diamond and isn't a burden to carry on my back, everything else will fall into place.  Because you will want to advocate for that particularity and what that particularity brings to the world. In his book, Future Tense, which, again, was a book about antisemitism, there was a picture of a lighthouse at the front of the book. That's how Rabbi Sacks saw the antidote for antisemitism, right? Is that we need to be the lighthouse. Because that's our role, globally, to be able to be the light that directs the rest of the world when they don't know where they're going. And we are living in a time of dizziness at the moment, on every level, morally, sociologically, psychologically, people are dizzy. And Judaism has, and I believe this is exactly what Rabbi Sacks advocated for, Judaism has a way to take us out of that maze that we found ourselves in. And so I think today, more than ever, in response to you, yes, it is peoplehood that we feel. And then the question is, how do we take that feeling of peoplehood and use it towards really building what we need to do in this world. The advocacy that Judaism needs to bring into the world. Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman:  We all have a role, a reason, a purpose. When Rabbi Sacks spoke to us a decade ago, more than a decade ago, at this point, those who were in the room felt the moral imperative to stand up to advocate and why, as Jews, we had that unique role.  I am so honored that today, now with Rabbi Sacks not here, you continue to give us that inspiration of why we are a letter in the scroll, why we must stand up and advocate. So thank you, Tanya and Joanna, for joining us at Global Forum and for this enlightening conversation. Tanya White:  Thank you so much for having us. Thank you. Joanna Benarroch:  Thank you so much.  Manya Brachear Pashman: If you missed last week's episode, please be sure to listen as two AJC colleagues pay tribute to their friends Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky who were brutally murdered outside the Capital Jewish Museum in May.   

Author of best selling 'Practical Kabbalah' (Random House) available on Amazon.Rabbi's Wolf's work has been lauded by spiritual leaders including Rabbi Lord Sir Jonathan Sacks OBM, the Dalai Lama, and Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu OBM, the Chief Rabbi of Israel from whom Rabbi Wolf received his Rabbinical ordination.

Author of best selling 'Practical Kabbalah' (Random House) available on Amazon.Rabbi's Wolf's work has been lauded by spiritual leaders including Rabbi Lord Sir Jonathan Sacks OBM, the Dalai Lama, and Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu OBM, the Chief Rabbi of Israel from whom Rabbi Wolf received his Rabbinical ordination.

In today's BizNews Briefing, Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein breaks ranks with a bold rebuke following SA's Oval Office humiliation. Neil de Beer weighs in on who should have been there. Hekpoort reels from a squatter crisis, Trump faces corporate backlash, and Elon Musk lashes out in Qatar. Plus: Coronation, Stefanutti, Pepkor results, and Rupert's final break from tobacco.

Author of best selling 'Practical Kabbalah' (Random House) available on Amazon.Rabbi's Wolf's work has been lauded by spiritual leaders including Rabbi Lord Sir Jonathan Sacks OBM, the Dalai Lama, and Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu OBM, the Chief Rabbi of Israel from whom Rabbi Wolf received his Rabbinical ordination.

Author of best selling 'Practical Kabbalah' (Random House) available on Amazon.Rabbi's Wolf's work has been lauded by spiritual leaders including Rabbi Lord Sir Jonathan Sacks OBM, the Dalai Lama, and Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu OBM, the Chief Rabbi of Israel from whom Rabbi Wolf received his Rabbinical ordination.

Author of best selling 'Practical Kabbalah' (Random House) available on Amazon.Rabbi's Wolf's work has been lauded by spiritual leaders including Rabbi Lord Sir Jonathan Sacks OBM, the Dalai Lama, and Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu OBM, the Chief Rabbi of Israel from whom Rabbi Wolf received his Rabbinical ordination.

19 years ago Rabbi Sacks delivered this Yom HaZikaron-Yom Ha'atzmaut address. He spoke, as was his annual tradition as Chief Rabbi, at the Bnei Akiva ceremony in May 2006, at Finchley Synagogue (Kinloss). These words, 19 years later, could almost have been freshly written for today. His message is timeless, and timely. Find more content like this on our Israel page: https://rabbisacks.org/israel/

Latest episode of the podcast. Please consider sponsoring a class online in someones merit, memory or refuah shelemah. You can donate here in the app or send us an email at info@ejsny.org with the dedication you want to make. Thanks!

Author of best selling 'Practical Kabbalah' (Random House) available on Amazon.Rabbi's Wolf's work has been lauded by spiritual leaders including Rabbi Lord Sir Jonathan Sacks OBM, the Dalai Lama, and Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu OBM, the Chief Rabbi of Israel from whom Rabbi Wolf received his Rabbinical ordination.

Savage explores the significance of Passover, urging audiences to look beyond traditional customs to find contemporary relevance and personal meaning. He reflects on his childhood memories of the holiday and the necessity of rituals to foster personal growth and connection. He discusses his personal spiritual journey and what he learned living in remote islands such as Fiji. He recounts a conversation he had with a Jewish gangster about his path to redemption. He shares about being unexpectedly appointed as president of his Jewish community and receiving a heartfelt message from the Chief Rabbi of Israel. He weaves themes of liberation from modern "addictions," the importance of community in spiritual practices, and the transformative power of faith. He stresses that Passover serves as an opportunity for introspection and renewal, urging listeners to seek a deeper understanding of their faith.

Author of best selling 'Practical Kabbalah' (Random House) available on Amazon.Rabbi's Wolf's work has been lauded by spiritual leaders including Rabbi Lord Sir Jonathan Sacks OBM, the Dalai Lama, and Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu OBM, the Chief Rabbi of Israel from whom Rabbi Wolf received his Rabbinical ordination.

11 APR 25

Author of best selling 'Practical Kabbalah' (Random House) available on Amazon.Rabbi's Wolf's work has been lauded by spiritual leaders including Rabbi Lord Sir Jonathan Sacks OBM, the Dalai Lama, and Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu OBM, the Chief Rabbi of Israel from whom Rabbi Wolf received his Rabbinical ordination. ★ Support this podcast ★

R Chaim was opposing the election of "Conservative Rabbi" חַיִּים נָחוּם, fearing he would spread הַשְׂכָּלָה וְקַלּוּת בְּמִצְווֹת among the Sephardic masses

Scott D. Seligman, author of the new book "The Chief Rabbi's Funeral: The Untold Story of America's Largest Antisemitic Riot," discusses how the Jewish communities united to fight for justice at the turn of the 20th Century and if we can use these uniting strategies now. See the book at https://www.amazon.com/Chief-Rabbis-Funeral-Americas-Antisemitic/dp/164012618X (NOT an affiliate link)

27 JAN 25

27 DEC 24

⁠What would Rabbi Sacks say? Here is second part of the two-part series, "Career Advice from Rabbi Sacks", in which Shtark Tank explores the timeless wisdom from Rabbi Jonathan Sacks zt"l and how his teachings can inspire and guide Bnei Torah navigating the modern workforce. Part 2 of the Rabbi Sacks series discusses: * Money and Happiness * Balancing Work and Family * Tzedaka * Hope During Difficult Times Rabbi Sacks was a towering intellectual with a global following, addressing some of the most pressing issues of our time—religious violence, morality, God and science, and more. In honor of his yahrtzeit, we delve into his profound insights, uncovering how they directly relate to the challenges and opportunities of balancing a Torah-centred life with career ambitions. In this episode: (00:00) Intro (01:50) Money and Happiness (21:40) Work and Family (31:07) Tzedaka (39:50) Messages of Hope You will hear personal reflections from Rabbi Sacks's talmidim—those influenced from afar and those privileged to gain access to his inner world. You will also listen to Rabbi Sacks in his own words, thanks to the incredible resources provided by the Rabbi Sacks Legacy website. Whether you're looking for practical career guidance or inspiration for integrating Torah values into your professional life, this series offers a unique perspective from one of the greatest thinkers of our time. Resources Mentioned: - www.RabbiSacks.org (A treasure trove of content, including writings, audio, and video, carefully curated for easy access.) - Facing the Future Without Fear, Together (TedTalk from Rabbi Sacks in 2017) https://rabbisacks.org/videos/facing-the-future-without-fear-together-ted-talk-at-ted2017/ - Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times (A keynote address at the Legatum Institute in 2020) https://rabbisacks.org/videos/restoring-the-common-good-in-divided-times/ - Happiness in the Jewish Perspective (Lecture at Emory University in 2010) https://rabbisacks.org/videos/happiness-in-the-jewish-perspective/ - The Birth of Hope (2019 Covenant and Conversation piece on parashat Bechukotai) https://rabbisacks.org/covenant-conversation/bechukotai/the-birth-of-hope/ - Agents of Hope (2003 BBC programme made with Rabbi Sacks) https://rabbisacks.org/videos/bbc-rosh-hashanah-programme-2003/ Guest Bios: Rabbi Jonathan Sacks ZT"L Renowned Jewish thinker, writer, and speaker, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks zt"l served as Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. His legacy includes profound insights on faith, leadership, and morality that resonate far beyond the Jewish world. Gilles Gade Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Cross River Bank, Gilles Gade is a visionary in the fintech industry, blending innovation with traditional banking to create cutting-edge financial solutions. Alan Sacks is a partner at Herzog Fox & Naaman. Dr. Erica Brown is a scholar, educator, and author, known for her thought-provoking works on Jewish leadership and education. She is the Vice Provost for Values and Leadership at Yeshiva University, and the Director of the Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks-Herenstein Center for Values and Leadership at YU. You can check out her upcoming book Join the Whatsapp Group! If you enjoy Shtark Tank, check out their Quiet WhatsApp group, which includes updates, exclusive bonus content and more. Join the WhatsApp group using this link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/B5jEcBP5umZAHWk2ILBWTS

⁠Make sure to check out Rabbi Sacks Koren publications⁠ Click Here for Part 1 What would Rabbi Sacks say? In this two-part series, Career Advice from Rabbi Sacks, we explore timeless wisdom from Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z"l and how his teachings can inspire and guide Bnei Torah navigating the modern workforce. Rabbi Sacks was a towering intellectual with a global following, addressing some of the most pressing issues of our time—religious violence, morality, God and science, and more. In honor of his yahrtzeit, we delve into his profound insights, uncovering how they directly relate to the challenges and opportunities of balancing a Torah-centered life with career ambitions. In this episode: (00:00) Intro (01:50) Money and Happiness (21:40) Work and Family (31:07) Tzedaka (39:50) Messages of Hope You will hear personal reflections from Rabbi Sacks's talmidim—those influenced from afar and those privileged to gain access to his inner world. You will also listen to Rabbi Sacks in his own words, thanks to the incredible resources provided by the Rabbi Sacks Legacy website. Whether you're looking for practical career guidance or inspiration for integrating Torah values into your professional life, this series offers a unique perspective from one of the greatest thinkers of our time. Resources Mentioned: ⁠Rabbi Sacks Legacy Website⁠ – A treasure trove of content, including writings, audio, and video, carefully curated for easy access. How we can face the future without fear, together | Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks TED Talk Happiness in the Jewish Perspective Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times The Birth of Hope Agents of Hope (2003) Guest Bios Rabbi Jonathan Sacks ZT"L Renowned Jewish thinker, writer, and speaker, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks zt"l served as Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. His legacy includes profound insights on faith, leadership, and morality that resonate far beyond the Jewish world. Gilles Gade Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Cross River Bank, Gilles Gade is a visionary in the fintech industry, blending innovation with traditional banking to create cutting-edge financial solutions. Alan Sacks is a partner at Herzog Fox & Naaman. Dr. Erica Brown is a scholar, educator, and author, known for her thought-provoking works on Jewish leadership and education. She is the Vice Provost for Values and Leadership at Yeshiva University, and the Director of the Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks-Herenstein Center for Values and Leadership at YU. You can check out her upcoming book ⁠Morning Has Broken: Faith After October 7th⁠ Join Our Whatsapp Group! If you enjoy Shtark Tank, you don't want to miss our Quiet Whatsapp group, which includes updates, exclusive bonus content and more. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Click Here to join.⁠⁠⁠

Rabbi Yitzchak Dovid Grossman, often called the "Disco Rabbi". Renowned for his outreach, he began visiting discos and nightclubs in the 1960s to connect with and rehabilitate at-risk youth, transforming countless lives. His journey is filled with extraordinary encounters with rebbes, prime ministers, world leaders, and holy Jewish lost souls, showcasing his unique ability to bridge worlds and inspire change. He is the Chief Rabbi of Migdal HaEmek and the founder of the Migdal Ohr educational network in Israel.      You can help him here: https://bit.ly/4eJYz2f     Buy the book here: https://bit.ly/3OlTmCM     ✬ SPONSORS OF THE EPISODE ✬ ► U.S. Mobile: Better Coverage with Better Pricing! Get a full data line for as low as $17.50 U.S. Mobile is a revolutionary wireless service that bundles minutes from all three major U.S. carriers, giving you the best of each network. You can choose whichever network is best for you. USE promo LIVING LCHAIM for your first month FREE → https://usmobile.com/lchaim     → Call 878-255-8940 ► Twillory: HUGE 50% SALE Use promo code: INSPIRE for $18 OFF →  Here: https://Twillory.com/    ► BitBean: Industry Leading Enterprise Software for Innovative   Seeking to optimize operations and scale your business? Bitbean empowers ambitious businesses with tailored software solutions. Automate workflows, streamline data management, and empower your workforce all while reducing your employee overhead by 30% or more. Contact Bitbean today for a FREE CONSULTATION →  https://bitbean.link/VxRH4y ► PZ DEALS: An Incredible App for Hot Deals Get the best savings and deals on PZ Deals brand new app.     Get Here →  https://app.pz.deals/install/iftn   ✬ IN MEMORY OF ✬ This episode is in memory of: • Shimon Dovid ben Yaakov Shloima • Miriam Sarah bas Yaakov Moshe ✬ Donate and Inspire Millions (Tax-Deductible) ✬ Your generous donation enables us at Living Lchaim to share uplifting messages globally, enrich lives, and foster positive change worldwide! Thank you! https://www.LivingLchaim.com/donate Our free call-in-to-listen feature is here: • USA: (605) 477-2100 • UK: 0333-366-0154 • ISRAEL: 079-579-5088 Have a specific question? email us hi@livinglchaim.comWhatsApp us feedback and get first access to episodes: 914-222-5513 Lchaim.

Parshas Chayei Sarah: Land and Children  The Parsha Perspective is in honor of Eretz Yisroel.  May G-d protect our brave soldiers.  May G-d return all the hostages in Gaza immediately.      The Parsha Perspective is in loving memory of Edward Ben Efraim, Shlomo Ben Edward, and Yirachmiel Daniel Ben Gedalia. May their souls be uplifted and their memories a blessing.  This week's Parsha Perspective is dedicated in honor of the Yahrzeit of HaRav Ya'akov Tzvi Ben Dovid Sacks, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, of blessed memory. Serving as the Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom from 1991 to 2013, he authored 25 books that resonated globally. His profound wisdom, combined with empathy and compassion, established him as a guiding light on the world stage. Rabbi Sacks returned his holy soul on the 20th of Cheshvan in 2020, yet his teachings continue to inspire and guide countless people worldwide. May his enduring legacy be a source of blessing for generations to come. Click here to listen, watch and connect! Parshaperspective.com Our Parsha begins with the passing of Sarah at 127 years old. Avraham mourned deeply for her and then negotiated with Ephron to purchase a burial plot in Chevron.  The land, known as Mearas HaMachpelah, was acquired for 400 shekels and would serve as a family burial site for future generations. After mourning for Sarah, Avraham turned his attention to findingfinding a wife for his son Yitzchak. He sent his most trusted servant, Eliezer, on a mission to find a suitable match. We find out how was Avraham was blessed.  We learn how God's words come to be. 

What would Rabbi Sacks say? In this two-part series, 'Career Advice from Rabbi Sacks', Shtark Tank explores timeless wisdom from Rabbi Jonathan Sacks zt"l and how his teachings can inspire and guide Bnei Torah navigating the modern workforce. Rabbi Sacks was a towering intellectual with a global following, addressing some of the most pressing issues of our time - religious violence, morality, God and science, and more. As his yahrzeit approaches, we delve into his profound insights, uncovering how they directly relate to the challenges and opportunities of balancing a Torah-centred life with career ambitions. In this episode: Discover how Rabbi Sacks's wisdom on this very topic is at the heart of one of his most popular books. Hear personal reflections from Rabbi Sacks's talmidim—those influenced from afar and those privileged to gain access to his inner world.Listen to Rabbi Sacks in his own words, thanks to the incredible resources provided by the Rabbi Sacks Legacy website. Whether you're looking for practical career guidance or inspiration for integrating Torah values into your professional life, this series offers a unique perspective from one of the greatest thinkers of our time. Guest Bios: Rabbi Jonathan Sacks zt"l Renowned Jewish thinker, writer, and speaker, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks zt"l served as Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth from 1991 until 2013. His legacy includes profound insights on faith, leadership, and morality that resonate far beyond the Jewish world. Gilles Gade Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Cross River Bank, Gilles Gade is a visionary in the fintech industry, blending innovation with traditional banking to create cutting-edge financial solutions. Alan Sacks Alan Sacks is the youngest bother of Rabbi Sacks and a partner at Herzog Fox & Naaman. Dr. Erica Brown Dr. Erica Brown is a scholar, educator, and author, known for her thought-provoking works on Jewish leadership and education. She is the Vice Provost for Values and Leadership at Yeshiva University, and the Director of the Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks-Herenstein Center for Values and Leadership at YU. You can check out her upcoming book 'Morning Has Broken: Faith After October 7th' in paperback from December (https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Has-Broken-Faith-October/dp/1592646832).

For a limited time, you can enjoy 20% off Rabbi Sacks Koren publications What would Rabbi Sacks say? In this two-part series, Career Advice from Rabbi Sacks, we explore timeless wisdom from Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z"l and how his teachings can inspire and guide Bnei Torah navigating the modern workforce. Rabbi Sacks was a towering intellectual with a global following, addressing some of the most pressing issues of our time—religious violence, morality, God and science, and more. As his yahrtzeit approaches, we delve into his profound insights, uncovering how they directly relate to the challenges and opportunities of balancing a Torah-centered life with career ambitions. In this episode: Discover how Rabbi Sacks's wisdom on this very topic is at the heart of one of his most popular books. Hear personal reflections from Rabbi Sacks's talmidim—those influenced from afar and those privileged to gain access to his inner world. Listen to Rabbi Sacks in his own words, thanks to the incredible resources provided by the Rabbi Sacks Legacy website. Whether you're looking for practical career guidance or inspiration for integrating Torah values into your professional life, this series offers a unique perspective from one of the greatest thinkers of our time. Resources Mentioned: Rabbi Sacks Legacy Website – A treasure trove of content, including writings, audio, and video, carefully curated for easy access. Kiddush Hashem in a Complicated World | Video | The Rabbi Sacks Legacy Power or Influence? | Beha'alotecha | Covenant & Conversation | The Rabbi Sacks Legacy The Legacy of the Lubavitcher Rebbe | Video Guest Bios Rabbi Jonathan Sacks ZT"LRenowned Jewish thinker, writer, and speaker, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks zt"l served as Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. His legacy includes profound insights on faith, leadership, and morality that resonate far beyond the Jewish world. Gilles GadeFounder, Chairman, and CEO of Cross River Bank, Gilles Gade is a visionary in the fintech industry, blending innovation with traditional banking to create cutting-edge financial solutions. Alan Sacks Alan Sacks is a partner at Herzog Fox & Naaman. Dr. Erica BrownDr. Erica Brown is a scholar, educator, and author, known for her thought-provoking works on Jewish leadership and education. She is the Vice Provost for Values and Leadership at Yeshiva University, and the Director of the Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks-Herenstein Center for Values and Leadership at YU. You can check out her upcoming book Morning Has Broken: Faith After October 7th Join Our Whatsapp Group! If you enjoy Shtark Tank, you don't want to miss our Quiet Whatsapp group, which includes updates, exclusive bonus content and more. ⁠⁠⁠Click Here to join.⁠⁠

Jeremy Gimpel gives insights into chapter 16 of Rav Kook's (first Chief Rabbi of Israel) world of Teshuva.

Special Judean Book Club - Nasrallah's elimination & Israel's Teshuva is exactly what we should learn together going into this year. Here's the breaking spiritual news and analysis, guided by the divinely inspired, dare a I say prophetic words of Rabbi Kook, the first Chief Rabbi of Israel.

Jeremy Gimpel gives insights into chapters 9 and 10 of Rav Kook's (first Chief Rabbi of Israel) world of Teshuva.

Jeremy Gimpel gives insights into chapter 8 of Rav Kook's (first Chief Rabbi of Israel) world of Teshuva.

Jeremy Gimpel gives insights into chapter 7 of Rav Kook's (first Chief Rabbi of Israel) world of Teshuva.

Jeremy Gimpel gives insights into Rav Kook's (first Chief Rabbi of Israel) world of Teshuva.

Jeremy Gimpel gives insights into Rav Kook's (first Chief Rabbi of Israel) world of Teshuva.

Jeremy Gimpel gives insights into Rav Kook's (first Chief Rabbi of Israel) world of Teshuva.

They say a giant man of clay sits in the attic, waiting for centuries for his instructions.  The story of the Golem in Prague is one of the classics of western storytelling, yet did you know that the temple where the Golem is rumored to be is a real place? The Old New Synagogue, one of the oldest active synagogues in the world, sits in the heart of Josefov, Prague's Jewish district. In this episode, we'll talk about Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II, who ruled from Prague, and his fascination with astronomy, alchemy, and mystiticism. We'll discuss the fascinating people he surrounded himself with, including Chief Rabbi, Kabbalah Expert, and supposed Golem-maker Judah Loew. Joining me for this episode is Melissa Joulwan, one of the hosts of Strong Sense of Place — a podcast and website dedicated to literary travel and books with vivid settings. Melissa has lived in Prague for seven years and shares her favorite spots and treats, including větrníky, glorious caramel cream puffs.

Questions, comments, feedback? Send us a message.#302> > This mini-series is sponsored by Maggid Books, a division of Koren Jerusalem, who is  the proud publisher of several works by Rav Kook including a commentary on the siddur compiled by Rabbi Bezalel Naor, and the newly translated Hadarav: In his inner chamber – a collection of Rav Kooks most intimate writings found in his personal notebooks from throughout his career.> Get 10% off all Koren and Maggid books with code SeforimChatter – click here for a list of the Rav Kook titles published by Maggid. > This episode picks up where episode 1 left off, and discusses Rav Kook's life during his first stay in the land of Israel and ends with his return as the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem after spending WWI in Europe. > To purchase Prof. Mirsky's biography "Rav Kook: Mystic in a Time of Revoloution" click here.> To purchase Prof. Mirsky's book about the first part of Rav Kook's life "Towards the Mystical Experience of Modernity: The Making of Rav Kook, 1865 - 1904" click here.> To join the SeforimChatter WhatsApp community click here.>  To support the podcast or to sponsor an episode follow this link or email seforimchatter@gmail.com (Zelle/QP this email address)

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