In an interview hosted by Yeshiva University with the honorable Lord Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, when asked about his opinion on the concept of “Modern Orthodox Judaism,” he urged the institution to drop that phrase, and instead elect an identity that resembles the following message: “the Judaic voice in the conversation of humankind.”
However, in his book A Judaism Engaged with the World, Rabbi Sacks expands his vision beyond any definitive Jewish movement. He argues that, in the twenty-first century, both Jews and the world will rely on one another, thereby emphasizing the need for a Judaism that confidently engages with the intellectual, ethical, political, and personal challenges of the modern era. Unlike his remarks at YU, which were directed at a Modern Orthodox crowd, the book speaks to all Jews, regardless of their level of observance or affiliation, urging them to embrace a Judaism that is outward-facing and engaged with the broader world, in both intellectual and political respects. In 2025, few organizations apply Rabbi Sacks’ message of intellectual and moral engagement with the modern world as effectively as the Tikvah Fund.
In an America where high school students have been inundated with activism-driven curricula and rigid ideological doctrine, the need for a strong alternative educational platform has never been more urgent. This shift in academia has not only stifled open inquiry but has also fostered an atmosphere of hostility, one that Jewish students have borne the brunt of. Rather than being encouraged to explore diverse perspectives and engage in rigorous intellectual debate, students are increasingly pressured to conform to a totalizing ideological framework, one that tends to vilify traditional values, embrace radical activism over scholarship, and justify hostility toward dissenting voices. For Jewish students, this crisis has been especially acute. Over the past few years, and especially in the aftermath of October 7th, Jewish students have found themselves vilified, ostracized, and even physically threatened simply for affirming their Jewish and Zionist identity.
Through its educational programs and institutions, Tikvah is shaping the next generation of Jewish, Zionist, and American leaders. Its model instills young Jews with moral confidence and civic courage, equipping them with the hard-won lessons of Jewish history and steadfast devotion to strengthening Jewish civilization across all arenas of civic life. Tikvah offers a diverse curriculum that challenges students to engage deeply with Jewish thought, Zionist history, American principles, and the great works of Western civilization. From exploring the philosophical tensions between reason and emotion in Jewish tradition to analyzing the strategic decisions that shaped Israel’s survival, Tikvah cultivates intellectual curiosity and sharpens critical thinking. Courses such as Mission Impossible: How Israel Was Transformed from a Distant Long-Shot to an Amazing Success Story, The Origins and Conduct of America’s Culture Wars, and Philosophy and Piety in Plato and Shakespeare, equip students with the historical knowledge and analytical tools necessary to navigate the ideological battles of today while preparing them to lead with clarity and conviction. The thinkers involved in the Tikvah Fund are some of the greatest minds of the 21st century, including Dr. Ruth Wisse, Rabbi Meir Solovichik, Professor Jonathan Haidt, and even former governor and presidential candidate Nicky Haley.
One of its newer projects is the Emet Classical Academy, a middle and high school located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Rooted in Tikvah’s commitment to rigorous intellectual formation, Emet Classical Academy seeks to provide a rigorous middle and high school education that blends classical learning with Jewish wisdom. Its website reads, “We are committed to the pursuit of human excellence in every academic and cultural field and the perpetuation of Jewish, Zionist, and American exceptionalism. Our academic program focuses on the best of Western culture, the foundational ideas of Jewish civilization, and the advanced study of math, modern science, art, and music.” Emet has brought in numerous distinguished scholars to teach at Emet, including Dr. Christopher Nadon, a political theorist known for his expertise in classical political philosophy and his unwavering defense of intellectual freedom. Nadon, previously a professor at Claremont McKenna College, made national headlines when the administration attempted to punish him for challenging prevailing campus ideological dogma and orthodoxies. His case became emblematic of the broader struggle against ideological conformity within higher education. Now at Emet, Nadon contributes to developing and teaching a curriculum that refuses to compromise on the principles of open inquiry and rigorous debate. Students at Emet are prepared not just to succeed academically, but to think and engage courageously in an era plagued by intellectual and moral cowardice.
In an age when ideological conformity too often replaces intellectual pursuit, Tikvah and its institutions stand as beacons of academic excellence, moral clarity, and Jewish resilience. By championing rigorous education, intellectual diversity, and a steadfast commitment to Jewish and Zionist values, Tikvah is not only shaping the next generation of Jewish leaders but also forging a model for what serious education should be. At a time when Jewish students face mounting challenges on campuses and in broader society, Tikvah offers a vital refuge, one that does not retreat from the world, but instead prepares young minds to engage with it boldly, thoughtfully, and unapologetically. Through its unwavering dedication to classical education, Tikvah is ensuring that the Jewish people, and the broader world, continue to benefit from a Judaism that is both rooted in classical wisdom and civic responsibility.
