Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks at the Templeton Prize ceremony in 2016.
Photo: © Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk
It was with deep sadness that we at Churches Together in Britain and Ireland learnt of the passing of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, the former Chief Rabbi.
Lord Sacks was an inspirational leader, whose gentle manner and scholarly insights enriched the conversation about how people of faith can be a source for good in society, especially if they act together. Countless Christians learnt so much about the Bible from his books and his public speaking. During his time as a President of the Council of Christians and Jews he was a strong advocate for Jewish-Christian relations. As a contributor to Radio 4’s “Thought for the Day” his advocacy of mutual co-existence reached audiences far beyond those active in interfaith dialogue. And his strong message that our society is a house we build together, was a positive one for peoples of all faiths and none, that was a counter to the rhetoric of suspicion and hatred that has pervaded our world for too long.
Rabbi Sacks first and foremost spoke out of his own Jewish faith, and that in itself was a precious gift to us all. In his 2009 book “Future Tense” he spoke about that faith where “God summoned a people and charged them with becoming his partners in creating lives, and in Israel a society, that would become a home for the divine presence. That faith inspired not only Jews, but also Christians and Muslims, whose religion grew in Jewish soil, as well as others who respected the Jewish love of family, community, education, tradition, the pursuit of justice, the passion for argument and the Jewish sense of humour that can laugh even in the face of tragedy. I believe that this is not accidental. Judaism was never meant for the Jews alone. It contains a message for all humanity”. (Jonathan Sacks: “Future Tense” London: Hodder & Stoughton, 2009, p. 7f)
As we mourn his passing, we give thanks to God for all that he has taught and shared with us and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and the Jewish community at this time.
Bob Fyffe
General Secretary,
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI)
9th November 2020
