The last book published by Lord Sacks in his lifetime has won the top Jewish book award in the USA.
Morality: Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times was named Book of the Year in the National Jewish Book Awards for 2020.
In its citation, the Jewish Book Council said the book “draws on his own experiences, as well as texts by Jewish philosophers and scholars, to illustrate the importance of changing our world by shifting our focus to the collective good.
“This book will help ground Sacks’s legacy as one of the great Jewish thinkers of the 21st century.”
Morality grew out of a radio series he had presented for Radio 4, which featured conversations with leading contemporary thinkers.
Lady Sacks said,
Lady Elaine Sacks said: “I know my late husband was very proud of Morality and would have been most honoured by this recognition from the Jewish Book Council.
Though he had won many previous Jewish Book Awards, none of his books had been named as the Book of the Year. This shows the particular relevance of Morality in today’s increasingly complex world. In the book, he aimed to show society a way forward, and one which prioritises the ‘We’ over the ‘I’ – something he passionately believed in throughout his life."
She added, "Though he is much missed by our family and so many others, I am delighted the book has been recognised in this way.”
His most recent book, Judaism’s Life-Changing ideas, a collection of essays on the weekly Torah portion, was published shortly after his death two months ago.
Morality also took the prize for best book of modern Jewish thought, a category he also won fiive years ago for his critique of violent religious fundamentalism, Not in God’s Name.
