Article: Raisa Kassam (Yr 12)
Website Sub-editor: Isabella Sullivan (Yr 12)
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Earlier this week the Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks, a renowned contributor to Radio 4’s ‘Thought for the Day’ and Times columnist, delivered a dynamic, inspiring and thought-provoking speech on the themes of politics and religion. He gave a passionate address explaining his view that one person can make a real and significant difference to the world and that the economic crisis will have a positive effect on religion.
When speaking of the current global issues, he said that although “we feel we are no more than a wave in the ocean, we can make a difference”. He said “One life is like a universe and so, by changing one life, we begin to change the universe. Never believe you can’t make a difference and may each of you make a great difference.”
He argued that for a society to function successfully, people must share friendship, love and trust. He explained this was because in the state and the market, when you distribute your efforts or finance, there is less and less to go around, but that there is a limitless share of influence and kindness.
To support his belief that the current economic downturn will make people realise the significance of value over cost, the Chief Rabbi quoted Oscar Wilde, who said, “A cynic knows the value of nothing and the price of everything”.
We are so grateful to Sir Jonathan Sacks for coming to talk to us and believe that he enjoyed his short time at the school which he described as, “incredibly disciplined, full of extremely wise and focussed girls”. His speech had a resonating impact on staff and pupils who felt that he “made us consider the aspects of society that we don’t usually acknowledge” and that it was “full of wonderful stories, humour and hope”.
Photo: Zoe Ilivitzky (Yr 11)