Leadership and the legacy of Lord Sacks
On August 30 this year, the stonesetting took place for Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt”l. A year after his passing, his teachings continue to inspire. In 2012, Lord Sacks wrote his Seven Principles of Jewish Leadership. Since then, we have used this precious resource in our Maccabi GB Leadership training programme. Today, we want to celebrate the legacy of Lord Sacks by providing our interpretation of his teachings.
1. LEADERSHIP BEGINS WITH TAKING RESPONSIBILITY
In these troubled times; the example of modern leaders is so often one that relinquishes accountability at the expense of others. Empowering young people to take responsibility for their actions is an essential aspect of growing up; becoming responsible for others (eg through charity participation) is a key skill.
2. NO ONE CAN LEAD ALONE
Beyond the indisputable role of “teamsmanship” in leadership, Lord Sacks delves into the different characteristics of biblical leaders and how these are necessary as “no one person can lead the Jewish people”. In the British Jewish community, we choose to lead and engage through the prism of sport, health and wellbeing; we believe that by training our young leaders in these skills, we will create a generation of communal leadership which is attentive to the benefits of physical activity.
3. LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT THE FUTURE
Maccabi GB’s vision is to ensure continuous, cross-denominational, inter-generational future provision of sports health and wellbeing activities for the Jewish community. We were honoured to support this year’s ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing and Judaism’ Good Thinking campaign.
4. LEADERS LEARN
Our Leadership participants are involved in our communal events; they volunteer at the Maccabi GB Community Fun Run, facilitate sessions for our partner organisations and distribute Yellow Candles.
5. LEADERSHIP MEANS BELIEVING IN THE PEOPLE YOU LEAD
Lord Sacks says: “Judaism prefers the leadership of influence to the leadership of power”. By creating connections with schools, youth movements and communal charities, we are able to provide services which enhance Jewish life through inclusive participation.
6. LEADERSHIP INVOLVES A SENSE OF TIMING AND PACE
It will take exceptional leadership to drive our community out of this pandemic. We must invest now in the leaders of tomorrow.
7. LEADERSHIP IS EMOTIONALLY DEMANDING
This is possibly the most inspiring part of Lord Sacks’ writing: why should anyone take on the responsibility of leadership, when it is often so challenging? It is because leaders understand that “there is work to do, there are people in need, there is injustice to be fought, there are wrongs to be righted, there are problems to solved and challenges ahead”. When we think of our young people, with all the pressures they face, what better remedy than focusing one’s energy on learning to help others, finding one’s direction and purpose through our passion for sport and inspiring our future generations by taking responsibility for our communal wellbeing?
Lord Sacks said: “In Judaism we like to do things that are both good for the body and good for the soul. The Community Fun Run is certainly one of those events that caters for both”. We are honoured to continue educating young people through his inspirational leadership.
Nathan Servi is head of education, Maccabi GB. Leadership by Streetwise is a sports leadership programme delivered by Streetwise and Maccabi GB and accredited by Sports Leaders UK. More details at maccabigb.org/leadership