Messages from across the community and around wished a speedy recovery to former Chief Rabbi, Lord Jonathan Sacks, after has announced he has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing treatment.
In a statement posted to his Twitter feed on Thursday, Sacks’ office said he had been “recently diagnosed” with an unspecified cancer and hoped to return to work “as soon as possible.”
“He remains positive and upbeat and will now spend a period of time focused on the treatment he is receiving from his excellent medical team,” the statement said. “He is looking forward to returning to his work as soon as possible.”
Sacks, 72, has been treated for cancer twice before, in his 30s and again in his 50s, a fact that wasn’t widely known until it was disclosed in a 2012 book.
He served as chief rabbi of the British Commonwealth from 1991 until 2013 and is among the most prominent expositors of Orthodox Judaism in the world, having authored dozens of books addressing contemporary spiritual and moral issues.
A translation and commentary on a Jewish prayer book that he wrote has become enormously popular worldwide. His most recent book, “Morality: Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times,” came out last month.
Incumbent, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis took to Twitter, saying: “To my illustrious predecessor, Rabbi Lord Sacks, may Hashem bless you with a Refuah Sheleima – a swift and complete return to good health. My heartfelt prayers are with you, Elaine and the whole family.”
Well-wishers sent support from across the community around the world, with Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin “wishing my dear friend @rabbisacks Refuah Shlema, a full and speedy recovery. Get well soon, we need your voice now more than ever.”
The European Jewish Congress also hoped for a swift recovery, saying: “He is one of the most important and inspiring spiritual leaders and thinkers of our day. Our thoughts and prayers are with him.
Israel’s new ambassador to London, Tzipi Hotovely, hoped for his recovery, saying: “Now more than ever our world needs his remarkable wisdom, intellect and foresight.”
Meanwhile, the Board of Deputies tweeted: “Wishing you a full and speedy recovery from all of us”, and the Community Security Trust wished their “great friend and supporter” well, calling him a “tireless campaigner against antisemitism” who has “contributed so much to Jewish life in this country.”
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