Meet the Leadership Team
Robyn is a rabbi at Manchester Reform Synagogue and the chair of Tzelem. Robyn studied at Newnham College, Cambridge for a degree in Theology & Religious Studies. After graduating Robyn worked as a solicitor at a human rights firm in London specialising in public law and asylum law. Robyn is a passionate social justice activist. As well as her work with Tzelem, she is co-chair of Greater Manchester Citizens (a broad-based community organising movement) and a chaplain of the One Love team for the universities. Robyn is also a member of the Research Impact Advisory Group of Religions and Theology at the University of Manchester.
Robyn has published journal articles and other works, including a chapter in the recently published book – ‘Mapping Faith: Theologies of Migration and Community’. Robyn also regularly appears on BBC Radio Manchester, Radio 4’s Beyond Belief and is a Pause for Thought contributor. Robyn is interested in creating relational, textured, activist communities build by individuals who are enabled to step into their own power and collectively organise for a more just world.
Rabbi Robyn Ashworth-Steen
Rabbi Alexander Goldberg
Alexander Goldberg is a barrister, chaplain, and human rights activist. He is currently the Dean of the College of Chaplains and Coordinating Chaplain at the University of Surrey. He is the only rabbi within this role in Europe. He continues to be Chief Executive of the Carob Tree Project, working on a number of international and UK-based community relations and community development projects and is the Jewish chaplain to the University of Surrey. Alex regularly co-hosts a BBC radio show, a contributor to BBC Radio 2's Pause For Thought and was a member of the BBC's Religion and Ethics Conference.
He chairs the English Football Association's Faith Network and founded the human rights group René Cassin.
He was founding chair of Faiths Forum for London and the Mayor of London's Faith Conference. He has been a led a delegation to the UN Human Rights Council for over a decade where he successfully changed international law in relation to group access to justice. In 2012, he was an Olympic and Paralympic Chaplain.
Rabbi Margaret Jacobi
Margaret Jacobi is the rabbi of Birmingham Progressive Synagogue. She studied medicine in Birmingham and worked in medical research before becoming a rabbi. She has published articles on Jewish medical ethics and has a PhD in Talmud. She is a member of the Birmingham Faith Leaders’ Group and active in interfaith work. She has been involved in organisations campaigning for human rights and asylum seekers, is passionate about the NHS and loves exploring the Talmud’s quest for justice.
Rabbi Elliott Karstadt
Elliott became part of the clergy team at Alyth North Western Reform Synagogue in August 2020, having been part of Leo Baeck College’s first Covid-secure ordination service in July. As well as a trustee of Tzelem, he is a trustee and former chair of Together in Barnet, the only night shelter in the London Borough of Barnet. As well as the task of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), Elliott is passionate about building Jewish community and studying Jewish texts of all kinds.
Rabbi Richard Jacobi
Richard is currently the rabbi for the community of East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue (previously Woodford Liberal Synagogue), which he has served since 2007. In addition, he is the Van der Zyl Head of Vocational Studies at Leo Baeck College, where he also teaches. He serves as a governor and spiritual advisor to Clore Tikva Primary School, and is a chaplain for a North-East London Mental Health Trust. He developed and directed a programme for training Liberal Ba’alei Tefillah (Leaders of Prayer) now in its fourth course, training over 60 people.
Rabbi Oliver Joseph
Oliver Joseph is a community rabbi working with Elstree & Borehamwood Masorti Community, as well as Noam, Marom and new Masorti communities across the UK.