Rabbi Sacks’ unveiled archives reveal ties to prince Charles and the Lubavitcher Rebbe

Letters to and from Rabbi Sacks reveal his role as a global connector and thoughtful religious leader.

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF NOVEMBER 24, 2024 22:56

Speakers at the Sacks Convention in Jerusalem last week. (photo credit: Yacov Segal Photography)

Guests at the 2024 Sacks Conversation in Jerusalem on Thursday were given a rare glimpse into the personal archives of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, including correspondence with the then prince Charles and a deeply personal letter to the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. The event, held at the National Library of Israel as part of the Rabbi Sacks Global Day of Learning, marked four years since his passing.

Among the displayed documents was a letter from prince Charles, written in response to a note of congratulations from Rabbi Sacks upon the announcement of his engagement to Camilla Parker Bowles.

The letter began with a few formal lines on headed notepaper, followed by nearly a page in Charles’ handwriting, starting with “Dear Chief Rabbi.” The letter’s warmth and handwritten elements reflected the personal regard between the two figures.

Another highlight was a letter Rabbi Sacks sent to the Lubavitcher Rebbe in 1990, seeking guidance on whether to accept the role of Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth.

The typed letter posed the question, “Should I take the position?” In a poignant response, Schneerson returned the letter with a simple proofreading mark that inverted the question into a statement: “I should take the position.”

‘THERE IS only one way to change the world, and that is through education,’ wrote the late UK chief rabbi Jonathan Sacks. (credit: PAUL HACKETT/REUTERS)

Preserving a legacy of influence

These letters, now preserved in the National Library of Israel, are part of a broader collection donated earlier this year. The archives include handwritten notes, speeches, and correspondence with global leaders, offering a unique perspective on Rabbi Sacks’ far-reaching influence as a religious leader and moral thinker.

The event, themed “The people of the book,” highlighted Rabbi Sacks’ enduring commitment to dialogue and learning, drawing participants from 150 communities across five continents.

The discussion featured US Ambassador to Israel Jacob J. Lew and Jerusalem-born educator Rachel Sharansky Danziger, who reflected on Rabbi Sacks’ teachings and their relevance today.

The letters on display, particularly the exchanges with prince Charles and the Lubavitcher Rebbe, offered a personal lens into pivotal moments of Rabbi Sacks’ life and career. They underscored his role as a bridge-builder between diverse worlds, connecting royalty, religious leaders, and the broader global community.