Support The Jonathan Sacks Institute
An Institute of Hope
UK Campaign for The Jonathan Sacks Institute
Introduction
Next year, Bar-Ilan University plans to open The Jonathan Sacks Institute. Reaching over 400 students a year, this groundbreaking Institute will bring together students, researchers and academics from different faiths, backgrounds and countries to learn from, and be inspired by, the remarkable work of Rabbi Sacks zt”l.
At a time when Israel’s democracy is under threat, this Institute is needed more than ever, giving hope and inspiration to build a fairer, more inclusive Israel.
And where better than Bar-Ilan, one of Israel’s most diverse university campuses. Here, Israeli Arab students will study Rabbi Sacks’ ideas alongside Haredi students. Israeli researchers will discuss and debate Rabbi Sacks’ ideas with academics around the world.
Indeed, the scale, reach and impact of this new Jonathan Sacks Institute is unprecedented. New undergraduate courses will be created, and postgraduate research opportunities offered. There will be new publications, international seminars, conferences and annual prizes – all inspired by the life and work of Rabbi Sacks. More details…
Why do we need this Institute?
Today, Israel’s democracy is under threat.
Nationalism, fundamentalism and racism are outpacing liberalism, moderation, and respect for minorities. Rabbi Sacks was deeply concerned with the threat to a free democratic society posed by rampant individualism on the one hand and religious extremism on the other. He argued that our ability to overcome these challenges depends on a civic culture that engages in debate with mutual respect and a moral ecology that provides hope and builds connections and trust between different communities.
Although Rabbi Sacks is less well known in Israel than in the English-speaking world, he offers a crucial perspective − a Jewish solution to the many problems posed by the “Clash of Civilizations” − that is sorely needed in Israel today. A major objective of the new institute is to ensure Rabbi Sacks’ ideas become at least as influential in the Jewish homeland as they are outside of it, helping strengthen Israeli democracy.
“Make Space for difference”
“Liberal democratic politics… makes space for difference. It recognises that within a complex society there are many divergent views, traditions and moral systems. It makes no claim to know which is true. All it seeks to do is ensure that those who have differing views are able to live peaceably and graciously together.”
Rabbi Sacks, ‘Not in God’s Name’, 2015
Your Support Will…
- Introduce over 400 students a year to the life and works of Rabbi Sacks, inspiring them, as Israel’s future leaders and innovators, to strengthen Israeli democracy
- Bring together four Israeli Arab and four Haredi students a year to discuss, debate and find common ground through Rabbi Sacks’ ideas and beliefs
- Ensure Rabbi Sacks’ ideas receive the attention and recognition they deserve within academia in Israel and around the world
- Establish an alumni network of Israeli graduates inspired by Rabbi Sacks’ vision and values to make a positive change to Israeli politics and society
- Raise awareness of Rabbi Sacks in Israel, ensuring his ideas become at least as influential in the Jewish homeland as they are outside of it
Support The Jonathan Sacks Institute
There are various ways you can support The Jonathan Sacks Institute at Bar-Ilan…
SUPPORT THE DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP FUND
We have created a new scholarship fund to help bring students from different backgrounds together to study the life and works of Rabbi Sacks. Gifts of all sizes are welcome to grow this fund to support more students. More details.
Give online today or send a cheque (made payable to ‘British Friends of Bar-Ilan University’) to: BFBIU, 110 Chandos Ave, London, N20 9DZ.
SPONSOR A STUDENT
You can sponsor an individual student at The Jonathan Sacks Institute through one of our scholarship programmes. A range of scholarships are available for BA, MA and PhD students, ranging from £5,000-£25,000 a year.
- Scholarship for an Israeli Arab student to study BA programme,‘Democracy, Citizenship & Leadership’
£4,000/yr (for 3 yrs) - Scholarship for a Haredi student to study BA programme,‘Democracy, Citizenship & Leadership’
£4,000/yr (for 3 yrs) - General scholarship for BA programme,‘Democracy, Citizenship & Leadership’
£4,000/yr (for 3 yrs) - Research scholarship for PhD student
£25,000/yr (for 4 yrs) - Research scholarship for MA student
£5,000/yr (for 2 yrs)
If you’re interested in sponsoring a student, please contact our Executive Director, Max Dunbar at max@bfbiu.org or call 07985 388 457.
BECOME A PATRON OF THE JONATHAN SACKS INSTITUTE
We are looking for Patrons to help us establish and grow The Jonathan Sacks Institute over the coming years. Patrons will be invited to all Institute events and will be credited at Bar-Ilan.
If you’re interested in becoming a Patron, please contact our Executive Director, Max Dunbar at max@bfbiu.org or call 07985 388 457.
MAKE A GENERAL GIFT
If you’d prefer to make a general donation to The Jonathan Sacks Institute you can send a cheque (made payable to ‘British Friends of Bar-Ilan University’) to: BFBIU, 110 Chandos Ave, London, N20 9DZ.
For alternative payments, please contact us at info@bfbiu.org or call 07985 388 457.
The British Friends of Bar-Ilan is a Registered UK Charity (314139).
