Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks’ personal archive now at the National Library of Israel
The Rabbi Sacks Legacy and the National Library of Israel have announced a significant milestone for both institutions as the personal archive of the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks arrives at the Library in Jerusalem.
Around 50 cartons containing archival material, including files, notes, sermons, lectures, correspondence and books, have been received by the Library curatorial and conservation staff.
Rabbi Sacks in his study Courtesy: The Rabbi Sacks Legacy
Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks (1948–2020) was a global religious leader, philosopher, award-winning author, and respected moral voice. He was the laureate of the 2016 Templeton Prize in recognition of his “exceptional contributions to affirming life’s spiritual dimension.” Described by HM King Charles III as “a light unto this nation”, Rabbi Sacks was a frequent and sought-after contributor to radio, television, and the press, both in Britain and around the world. He served as Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth for 22 years, between 1991 and 2013.
Official records from Rabbi Sacks’ tenure as Chief Rabbi are housed at the London Metropolitan Archives.
While the archive awaits review and cataloguing, an initial survey reveals materials on topics close to Rabbi Sacks’ heart, such as engaging Judaism with the world, community building and Jewish education, with more discoveries anticipated.
The Rothschild Foundation Hanadiv Europe supported the acquisition of the archive. Once catalogued, the National Library of Israel intends to provide extensive access to researchers, according to the terms agreed upon by the Sacks family.
One of the 50 boxes now at The National Library of Israel
Among the correspondence in the archive is a letter written in April 1998 ahead of Pesach. In it, Rabbi Sacks reflected on a period of disunity within the Jewish world: “The Haggadah is not predicated on a simple concept of Jewish unity. It presents to us a portrait of four children around the table. They are not the same. One is wise, one a rebel, one is simple, and one unable to ask. Their perspectives are different. Their voices are not in harmony. But they sit at the same table. They are members of the same family. They tell the same story. We are the people who carried with us the indelible recollection of centuries of suffering, not because we revel in it, not because we see ourselves as victims, but in order to remember that whatever else divides us, history unites us.”
Lady Elaine Sacks said, “My dear husband expressed great enthusiasm for the new National Library of Israel, which he had described as ‘the Home of the Book for the People of the Book’. It is fitting that his personal archive will be housed there, continuing his legacy of sharing knowledge and wisdom with the world.”
The National Library of Israel Photo: Aviad Bar Ness
Sallai Meridor, Chairman of the National Library of Israel, said, “We are honoured to be given responsibility for incorporating the writings and teachings of Rabbi Sacks zt”l into the Library of the State of Israel and the Jewish People. His legacy will not only serve as a magnet and a source of inspiration but also, through digitisation, this important archive will be made available around the world for generations to come.”
The 4th Sacks Conversation, an annual event honouring Rabbi Sacks’ enduring impact as a global moral voice, will be held at the National Library of Israel on November 21, 2024.
This is wonderful news. A fitting place indeed for Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks’ archive. Every week his parsha comes to my inbox. He is the most erudite and humane of men and I was sorely grieved by his death. His words live on though, and in this way so does he.