Online course on Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

Israel’s Bar-Ilan University has launched a groundbreaking new Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), The Jewish Philosophy of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks.” Timed to coincide with the fifth yahrzeit of the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, this innovative course opens access to Rabbi Sacks’s profound intellectual and moral legacy to learners worldwide—free of charge and in multiple languages.

Developed over the past year and a half under the academic leadership of Dr Miriam Feldmann-Kaye, Assistant Professor at Bar-Ilan’s Department of Jewish Philosophy and Senior Researcher at the University’s Jonathan Sacks Institute, the course already has over 300 Bar-Ilan students and will now become publicly available on CampusIL, Israel’s national platform for online learning. Initially released in Hebrew and English, the course will later expand to include Arabic and additional languages, making Rabbi Sacks’s teachings accessible to diverse audiences across cultures and faiths and different countries.

“Rabbi Sacks’s thought continues to inspire rigorous scholarship and profound moral reflection. Through this new MOOC, Bar-Ilan University and the Jonathan Sacks Institute are extending his intellectual influence to new audiences—bridging academia and the public sphere and ensuring that his voice continues to shape global conversations on faith, ethics, and human dignity,” said
Prof. Jonathan Rynhold, Director of The Jonathan Sacks Institute at Bar-Ilan University.

The online course has been made possible through the generosity of Drs. Mordecai z”l and Monique Katz and family.

A Journey into the Thought of a Modern Religious Philosopher

The course offers an engaging exploration of Rabbi Sacks’s philosophical insights on religion and modernity, ethical interpretation of Jewish texts, science and faith, interfaith relations, morality, and human dignity. Through exclusive original materials and rare interviews with leading scholars in Israel and the UK, participants will encounter the breadth of Rabbi Sacks’s thought—bridging ancient Jewish wisdom with the pressing moral and social challenges of contemporary life.

“Our exploration of Rabbi Sacks’ thought will be multifaceted. We will examine his reflections on the role of religion in the contemporary world, his insights into the challenges of multiculturalism, and his exploration of the relationship between science and faith. We will also delve into his profound understanding of morality and ethics, as well as his perspectives on leadership and community,” said Dr. Feldmann-Kaye. “Our journey will not only be an intellectual exploration but also an opportunity for introspection and dialogue. We will consider how Rabbi Sacks’s teachings can inspire us to engage with the challenges of our time, fostering a sense of responsibility and ethical conduct in our personal and communal lives.”

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks (1948–2020), former Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, was one of the most influential Jewish thinkers of the modern era. His writings and lectures continue to inspire leaders, educators, and seekers worldwide through their call for moral courage, compassion, and the pursuit of shared humanity.

“Launching the MOOC on Rabbi Sacks’ philosophy in time for his fifth yahrzeit feels deeply fitting and meaningful. It’s a beautiful way to honor his legacy—opening up his ideas and teachings to the wider world, in a way that truly reflects his vision of education, dialogue, and shared moral purpose,” said Joanna Benarroch, President of the Rabbi Sacks Legacy.

Digital Learning and Public Engagement

The initiative is supported by Bar-Ilan University’s Learning and Teaching Division, under the guidance of Yuval Shraibman and Gal Yaniv, as part of the university’s broader mission to expand digital access to Jewish thought and philosophy. The course’s launch marks a significant milestone in combining academic excellence, technological innovation, and public engagement through open learning.

Registration will be open via the Jonathan Sacks Institute website (https://sites.biu.ac.il/en/MOOC) and the CampusIL website from November 13.