The London School of Jewish Studies (LSJS) is taking one of its most popular Torah studies programmes all the way to Australia.

The online course – Covenant & Continuity – is inspired by the late Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks’ teachings.

The course is being launched in partnership with synagogues in Perth and Melbourne, as well as the Great Synagogue in Sydney.

Due to the time difference with the UK, Australian Covenant & Continuity is on a different schedule to the regular sessions.

Michael Rainsbury, LSJS’ head of adult education, said: “It was wonderful to see LSJS reach communities that we have not reached before. There is a real thirst for learning Rabbi Sacks’ Torah in Australia and I hope this will be the start of an exciting journey.”

Catering to the many people who consider his wisdom a key part of their Jewish education, the course doesn’t just “teach Rabbi Sacks” but builds and develops his philosophy, he added.

Already attended by over 150 students in 20 other countries, the webinars, launched three years ago, are led by Rabbi Dr Benjamin Elton, Dr Lindsay Simmonds, Dr Tanya White and Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum, all former students of Rabbi Sacks.

The late Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks' teachings continue to inspire students all over the world (Photo: Omaggio)

Joanne Greenaway, chief executive of LSJS, said: “I am delighted that such a successful course has now been expanded to a new English-speaking continent, giving so many more communities the opportunity to benefit from Rabbi Sacks’ teachings.” 

Rabbi Sacks, who died in November 2020, was once a student at LSJS before becoming its principal and later its honorary president.

His teachings continue to be a core part of LSJS. As well as Covenant & Continuity, which is run in partnership with the Rabbi Sacks Legacy, LSJS offers the Rabbi Sacks Learning Fellowship for young professionals and has also established the Rabbi Sacks Chair of Modern Jewish Thought, which is held by LSJS dean, Rabbi Dr Raphael Zarum.