It was quite a week! A whirlwind 5 days in Jerusalem at the Sacks Scholars retreat where we were treated to an outstanding programme of speakers, visits and experiences including meeting and learning with Rav Osher Weiss, Micha Goldman, Rav Yossi Fruhman, Rabbanit Yemima Mizrahi, Chaviv Rettiv Gur, Ishay Ribo and a very special and memorable Shabbat in the Old City and the Italian synagogue.
The cohort was made up of rabbis, school principals, community leaders, educators and philosophers from London, SA, Montreal, Philadelphia, NY, Toronto and Perth. Many were already good friends and colleagues, including Michael Rainsbury, Head of Adult Education at LSJS, some I thought I knew but didn’t, all I am honoured to now call friends.
We listened and learnt from each other. These were some of the most thoughtful, intelligent, kind, hilarious, modest and brilliant people, driven by the shared values of Rabbi Sacks and the part we all want to play in bringing his voice to the global conversation. There are no easy solutions to the many challenges that face and divide Israeli society and world Jewry but it gives me so much chizuk to connect with like-minded people each with such unique talents who care so deeply about these issues and will continue to support each other.
At LSJS, we take seriously our role in continuing Rabbi Sacks’ teachings as his voice is needed now more than ever. And I feel so privileged to be driving forward an organisation that he once led and believed in. We are now part of a global family. Thank you to Jeremy Bruce and all at The Rabbi Sacks Legacy for creating this opportunity and supporting the work we are all doing.
Joanne Greenaway, CEO
