What Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks’ State of the Jewish World Teaches Us Today

In this special cross-posted conversation with AJC’s People of the Pod, Dr. Tanya White speaks with AJC’s Director of Jewish Communal Partnerships, Meggie Wyschogrod Fredman and Sacks Legacy Global Chief Executive, Joanna Benarroch to explore the enduring relevance of Rabbi Sacks’ reflections on the state of the Jewish world. Drawing on his essays, speeches, and vision for global Jewish leadership, this discussion delves into the challenges and hopes that continue to shape Jewish identity and responsibility today.

Note: This is an appendix episode and not part of the main Books and Beyond podcast series.

Books and Beyond: The Rabbi Sacks Podcast

This is the recording of our Books and Beyond: The Rabbi Sacks Podcast launch event, dr. Tanya White in conversation with Lord Daniel Finkelstein and Gila Sacks about Rabbi Sacks ideas in todays post 07/10 world.

Books and Beyond: The Rabbi Sacks Podcast

In this final episode of the series, Dr. Tanya White moves beyond the book, Morality, to engage with two guests offering unique perspectives on the book’s relevance and legacy. Framed as the “application” of Rabbi Sacks’ big ideas to today’s global challenges, the episode explores how Morality speaks directly to the crises of our time.

Books and Beyond: The Rabbi Sacks Podcast

Dr. Tanya White and Rabbi Dr. Samuel Lebens engage in an enlightening conversation on the fourth and final book of the series, Morality (which we have termed “The Application”). They explore the book’s context, structure, and themes, delving into the nature of freedom in today’s Western liberal democracies, the challenge of fostering moral commitment to a collective “we” in an age of radical individualism, and whether religion can serve as a force for good in a divided world. Their discussion addresses pressing societal challenges and seeks answers through the lens of Rabbi Sacks’ profound ideas in Morality.

Books and Beyond: The Rabbi Sacks Podcast

In this second episode on Future Tense, Dr. Tanya White moves beyond the book to examine how its themes address the urgent challenge of antisemitism today. She is joined by award-winning author Dara Horn (People Love Dead Jews) and Michal Cotler-Wunsh, Israel’s Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism, in a fiery yet thought-provoking conversation that tackles pressing issues facing the Jewish world. Dara advocates for a Jewish narrative that frames antisemitism as a form of affirmative identity, while Michal aligns with Rabbi Sacks’ forward-looking vision, emphasizing a Judaism defined by more than external opposition. This episode invites listeners to engage with both sides of this critical debate and gain fresh insights from two leading voices in the Jewish community.

This episode has been generously sponsored in memory of Anita and Alvin Caplin (Avraham Aaron Hakohen ben Moshe Nisan Hakohen v’Devorah and Chana Perl bat Malkah Zisel v’David)

Books and Beyond: The Rabbi Sacks Podcast

Dr. Tanya White and Dr. Mijal Bitton delve into the second book in the series, Future Tense (what we have termed “The Narrative”), in a thought-provoking conversation that examines its context, structure, and central themes. They explore the critical question of which Jewish narrative to embrace and grapple with the current challenge of antisemitism.

Their discussion addresses the book’s relevance in a post-07/10 world, where an outward-facing, engaged Judaism may seem increasingly fraught. They reflect on Rabbi Sacks’ optimism for a forward-looking narrative and invite listeners to reflect on what it means to build a confident, outward-looking Jewish identity in the face of unprecedented challenges.

This episode has been generously sponsored in memory of Anita and Alvin Caplin (Avrham Aaron Hakohen ben Moshe Nisan Hakohen v’Devorah and Chana perl bat Malkah Zisel V’David)

Books and Beyond: The Rabbi Sacks Podcast