Carrying a Legacy Forward: Bar-Ilan University Awards Inaugural Jonathan Sacks Institute Prize to Harvard’s Prof. Robert Putnam
In a powerful testament to shared values and enduring vision, Bar-Ilan honors one of the world’s most influential political scientists in the name of one of the greatest moral leaders of our time.
Bar-Ilan University proudly announces the recipient of the first-ever Jonathan Sacks Institute Prize: renowned Harvard political scientist Prof. Robert Putnam.
The prize, one of the most prestigious honors ever awarded by the university, will be presented in May 2025 as part of a celebration of shared values, moral courage, and academic excellence. This is not just a recognition of one man’s scholarship, but a moment that symbolizes Bar-Ilan University’s growing role as a global hub for thought leadership rooted in ethics, unity, and social responsibility.
The Jonathan Sacks Institute, established in 2023 at Bar-Ilan University, honors the legacy of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks—former Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth and one of the most influential Jewish philosophers and moral voices of the modern era. The prize was made possible through the generosity of the Gewurz family of Montreal, Canada, in memory of Samuel Gewurz z”l, and is awarded to individuals whose public intellectual work advances the central ideas and concerns Rabbi Sacks devoted his life to.
A Meeting of Minds: Sacks and Putnam
Prof. Jonathan Rynhold, Academic Director of the Institute, emphasized the deep resonance between Rabbi Sacks' moral teachings and Prof. Putnam’s sociopolitical research. “Both Prof. Putnam and Rabbi Sacks highlighted the threats posed by excessive individualism, religious extremism, and polarization,” Rynhold said. “Their work underscores the need to rebuild social capital—those networks of trust that make societies flourish.”
Prof. Putnam’s groundbreaking work—most notably Bowling Alone and American Grace—has profoundly shaped global understanding of civic engagement and community cohesion. His writings were frequently cited and explored by Rabbi Sacks in his own work, such as The Home We Build Together and Morality.
With over 15 books translated into 20 languages, Putnam is the most cited political scientist in the past 50 years. He is also a recipient of the National Humanities Medal, and a trusted advisor to U.S. Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama, and UK Prime Ministers Blair and Cameron.
“I am deeply honored to receive the inaugural Jonathan Sacks Prize,” said Prof. Putnam. “Jonathan Sacks was one of the greatest moral, intellectual, and religious leaders of the last half century.”
A Milestone Moment for Bar-Ilan University
Prof. Arie Zaban, President of Bar-Ilan University, underscored the profound significance of this event: “I congratulate Prof. Putnam and express our heartfelt thanks to The Rabbi Sacks Legacy Trust for choosing Bar-Ilan University as the institution to carry forward Rabbi Sacks’ vision. This is a great honor—and a great responsibility.”
The Jonathan Sacks Institute Prize includes a monetary award of NIS 100,000 and will be presented at a formal ceremony this May.
About the Jonathan Sacks Institute
The Jonathan Sacks Institute at Bar-Ilan University was founded to encourage and support academic, intellectual and public engagement. Its mission includes promoting moral discourse in public life, developing a network of values-based leaders, and ensuring that Rabbi Sacks' ideas continue to shape responses to today’s most pressing challenges—religious, societal, and political.