Jonathan Sacks

The Right Honourable

The Lord Sacks

MBE Kt
Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth
In office
1 September 1991 – 1 September 2013
Preceded byImmanuel, Lord Jakobovits
Succeeded byEphraim Mirvis
Member of the House of Lords
Lord Temporal
In office
1 September 2009 – 7 November 2020
Personal details
Born
Jonathan Henry Sacks

(1948-03-08)8 March 1948
Lambeth, London, England
Died7 November 2020(2020-11-07) (aged 72)
NationalityBritish
Political partyCrossbench
Spouse(s)
Elaine Taylor
​
(m. 1970)​
ChildrenJoshua, Dina and Gila
EducationChrist's College, Finchley
Alma mater
OccupationRabbi
AwardsCanterbury Medal (2014)
Templeton Prize (2016)
SemichaJews' College
Etz Chaim Yeshiva (London)
Websiterabbisacks.org

Jonathan Henry Sacks, Baron Sacks, MBE (Hebrew: יעקב צבי זקס, romanized: Ya'akov Tzvi Zaks; 8 March 1948 – 7 November 2020) was a British Orthodox rabbi, philosopher, theologian, author, and politician.

He was the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth from 1991 to 2013. He was in charge of the United Synagogue, the largest synagogue body in the UK. He was the Chief Rabbi of those Orthodox synagogues.[1][2]

As Chief Rabbi, Sacks formally carried the title of Av Beit Din (head) of the London Beth Din. At the time of his death, he was the Emeritus Chief Rabbi.[3]

Sacks died on 7 November 2020, at age 72.[4] He had been diagnosed with cancer in October 2020, having been twice previously treated for the disease.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Abrams, Hester (7 December 1991). "Philosopher is new leader of Britain's Jews : Educational standards, disintegrating family concern rabbi". The Record. Kitchener, Ontario. p. C11. He is officially head of the mainstream United Synagogue, but is not recognized as religious leader by many in the progressive Reform and Liberal movements
  2. ↑ Butt, Riazat (13 July 2009). "Chief Rabbi joins House of Lords". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 15 August 2009. The decision to confer a title on Sacks angered Jews from both the progressive and strictly Orthodox branches who did not recognise him as their religious leader
  3. ↑ Compare: Cohen, Justin (20 July 2016). "Lord Sacks leads tributes to Alan Senitt at moving memorial". Jewish News. London. Retrieved 7 July 2017. The Chief Rabbi Emeritus said the one-time BBYO president and UJS chair would have been 'one of the great leaders of our time' [...].
  4. ↑ Swerling, Gabriella (7 November 2020). "Rabbi Lord Sacks has died, online statement confirms". The Telegraph. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  5. ↑ "Rabbi Lord Sacks dies of cancer at 72". Jewish Chronicle. 7 November 2020. Retrieved 7 November 2020.