Jewish energy and pride were as strong as ever during a presentation given by global religious scholar and philosopher Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks on November 24. Over 700 students gathered at the Boca Raton Synagogue to hear Rabbi Sacks speak, including students from Scheck Hillel and several other South Florida schools.
Rabbi Sacks taught the group that Jewish values have become the core of human values, and that many other religions have even adopted the principles of our Tanakh. Grade 11, Grade 12 and students in the Upper School Beit Midrash Program listened intently, internalizing Rabbi Sacks' messages. During the question and answer portion, Scheck Hillel students inquired about the recent tragedy at the Har Nof Synagogue in Jerusalem, wondering how it still possible to believe in Hashem after a massacre on the Jewish people. Rabbi Sacks responded with the message that one should never ask ‘Why?,’ but rather should ask, ‘How can I grow from this tragedy?’.
Students left Boca feeling enlightened by their experience with Rabbi Sacks. “I was so impressed with Rabbi Sacks’ breadth of knowledge and his ability to quote Jewish and non-Jewish sources on a whim,” said Daniel Doron (Grade 12). After hearing stories of the Rabbi being knighted, learning that the engravings on the Liberty Bell are verses from a parsha, and sharing questions with high school students from different cities, it was certainly quite a memorable day of discussion and learning!
