T wo weeks ago the American Enterprise Institute a leading conservative think tank in Washington D.C. presented Rabbi Jonathan Sacks former British chief rabbi with an award at its annual dinner and his remarks in acceptance of it are worthwhile reading. He elicited laughter from the audience as he began telling how he was about to say that he’s “moved beyond words but the truth is no rabbi ever was moved beyond words.”
Speaking of our “tempestuous times ” he recalled asking a friend what it’s been like living in America today. The latter responded “Well it’s a little bit like the man standing on the deck of the Titanic with a [drink] in his hand and he’s saying ‘I know I asked for ice but this is ridiculous.’ ”
From the perspective of a non-American he spoke about both sides of the political divide briefly identifying some of the areas in which both right and left have lost their way. Perhaps his standing as a respected figure who’s an outsider to our political system and society can enable him to get the hearing that has become almost impossible for an insider to receive no matter their stature.
Rabbi Sacks spoke of the social covenant that underpinned America’s founding:
