Genesis Prize Foundation will honor Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks
Foundation will recognize Rabbi Lord Sacks’ legacy and will produce a documentary about his life's work.
By ALAN ROSENBAUMRabbi Lord Jonathan Sacksץ(photo credit: BLAKE EZRA PHOTOGRAPHY)
The Genesis Prize Foundation announced on Wednesday plans to honor Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, the late prominent scholar, theologian and philosopher.The former chief rabbi of the UK and Commonwealth (1991-2013) died on November 7, 2020, three weeks before the conclusion of the public voting for the 2021 Genesis Prize laureate. Sacks was one of the seven finalists for the award. On February 10, director, producer, and philanthropist Steven Spielberg was announced as this year’s recipient of the prize.The foundation plans to honor the life and impact of this extraordinary Jewish leader at an event in London (COVID restrictions permitting) on November 14, shortly after the first anniversary of his death. Many UK luminaries and distinguished leaders of the global Jewish community are expected to participate in the event.As part of the event, the foundation will produce a documentary about the life and impact of Sacks and is also currently in discussions with the Rabbi Sacks Legacy Trust about supporting other significant initiatives aimed at celebrating and sustaining his legacy.“Like so many people around the world, we were immensely saddened by the untimely passing of Rabbi Sacks,” said Stan Polovets, co-founder and chairman of the Genesis Prize Foundation. “No one in the world was as adept at explaining Judaism to both Jews and non-Jews as Lord Sacks, always emphasizing the religion’s focus on justice, morality and tolerance. We plan to honor this great Jewish voice by paying tribute to his life’s work and supporting the preservation of his intellectual and spiritual legacy, to ensure it continues to live on for future generations.”Sacks gained global renown as a teacher of Jewish values, philosopher, prolific author, and proponent of interreligious dialogue. An internationally prominent and admired figure, he was a trusted and influential adviser to the heads of government as well as to members of the British royal family.
