Julia Neuberger

Julia Babette Sarah Neuberger, Baroness Neuberger, DBE (born 27 February1950 as Julia Schwab) is a rabbi, social reformer and member of the House of Lords, where she takes the Liberal Democrat whip.

Early life and education

She was born on 27 February1950, the daughter of Walter and Alice Schwab. She was educated at South Hampstead High School and Newnham College, Cambridge. She obtained her Rabbinic Diploma at Leo Baeck College, London, where she taught from 1977 to 1997.

Religious roles

Neuberger was Britain's second female rabbi after Jackie Tabick, and the first to have her own synagogue.

She was rabbi of the South London Liberal Synagogue from 1977 to 1989 and is President of West Central Liberal Synagogue.

Voluntary activity

She was also Chair of Camden and Islington Community Health Services NHS Trust from 1992 to 1997, and Chief Executive of the King's Fund from 1997 to 2004. Who's who lists a large number of voluntary and philanthropc roles she has undertaken .

Her book, The Moral State We're In, a study of morality and public policy in modern Britain (ISBN 0-00-718167-1), was published in 2005. The title is an allusion to Will Hutton's 1997 book, The State We're In.

Parliamentary roles

In June 2004 she was created a life peer as Baroness Neuberger, of Primrose Hill in the London Borough of Camden.

On 29 June 2007, Baroness Neuberger was appointed by the in-coming Prime Minister Gordon Brown as the government's champion of volunteering.

Personal life and family relationships

Neuberger is married to Prof. Anthony Neuberger . They have two adult children, a son and a daughter. Her husband is the son of Prof. Albert Neuberger and the brother of Prof. Michael Neuberger, Prof. James Neuberger and David Neuberger, Baron Neuberger of Abbotsbury, a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary.

Publications

• The Story of Judaism (for children), 1986, 2nd edn 1988.
• Days of Decision (Edited four in series), 1987.
• Caring for Dying Patients of Different Faiths, 1987, 3rd edn 2004 (edited, with John A. White).
• A Necessary End, 1991.
• Whatever’s Happening to Women?, 1991.
• Ethics and Healthcare: the role of Research Ethics Committees in the UK, 1992.
• The Things That Matter (anthology of women’s spiritual poetry, Edited by JN), 1993.
• On Being Jewish, 1995.
• Dying Well: a guide to enabling a better death, 1999, 2nd edn 2004.
• Hidden Assets: values and decision-making in the NHS today, (ed with Bill New), 2002.
• The Moral State We’re In, 2005.
• Report on Volunteering, March 2008.

External links

• Baroness Neuberger profile at the site of Liberal Democrats
• 2004 Interview by Joan Bakewell for Belief (BBC Radio 3)