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Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg

Biography

Jonathan Wittenberg was born in Glasgow in 1957, to a family of German Jewish origin with rabbinic ancestors on both sides.

The family moved to London in 1963, where he attended University College School, specialising in classical and modern languages. He further developed his love of literature when reading English at King's College Cambridge (1976-9). After two years teaching and social work in Israel and England he took a PGCE at Goldsmith's College, London.

Already deeply involved in Jewish life, he trained for the rabbinate at Leo Baeck College London, receiving ordination in 1987, and continued his studies to gain a further rabbinic qualification from his teacher Dr. Aryeh Strikovsky in Israel. 

Since then he has worked as rabbi of the New North London Synagogue and has taken a leading role in the development of the Masorti Movement for traditional non-fundamentalist Judaism in England. In 2008 he was appointed Senior Rabbi of the Assembly of Masorti Synagogues UK.

From 1993 to 2002 he was closely involved in the North London Hospice, for five and a half years as co-ordinator of its voluntary multi-faith chaplaincy. He is currently a member of the chaplaincy team at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital.

He has initiated a project to create a multi-faith secondary school, launching the vision in the House of Lords.

He has a strong interest in pastoral work, particularly in the care of the sick and dying. He is deeply engaged in Jewish / Christian and Jewish / Muslim interfaith dialogue. He lectures widely and writes frequently for the Jewish and interfaith press. He has broadcast for the BBC on Prayer for the Day, and on Al Mustakillah television.

His publications include: 'The Three Pillars of Judaism: A Search for Faith And Values' (SCM Press, 1996); 'The Laws of Life: A Guide to Traditional Jewish Practice at Times of Bereavement' (Masorti Publications 1997) and 'The Eternal Journey; Meditations on the Jewish Year' (Joseph's Bookstore 2001). His latest book, ‘The Silence of Dark Water: An Inner Journey’ was published in November 2008. Since then he has produced a popular children’s book ‘Shmendrick and the Croc’, beautifully illustrated by Barbara Jackson (Masorti Publications 2010)

Jonathan is married to Nicky Solomon; they have three children and a dog and enjoy family life, gardening and animals.

Archive

Click here to view archive of Rabbi Wittenberg's Writings, including his weekly Shabbat message to the community.

Podcasts

Extracts from Rabbi Wittenberg's most recently published book, The Silence of Dark Water: An Inner Journey. Click here to download 

Click here for sound recordings of Rabbi Wittenberg reading his weekly Shabbat message to the community.