Rabbi Baroness Julia Neuberger and Luciana Berger – Jewish Care Women of Distinction 2019
Rabbi Baroness Julia Neuberger, Senior Rabbi of West London Synagogue and Luciana Berger MP have been recognised with awards at Jewish Care’s Women of Distinction Lunch.
Rabbi Baroness Neuberger received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her lifetime commitment to the immediate and wider community. For her courage in confronting anti-Semitism head on, Luciana Berger received the Women of Distinction Award 2019.
The event took place at the Institute of Directors on Thursday 23 May, to celebrate women who have made a significant contribution to industry and society. The annual lunch raised £80,000 for Jewish Care’s Sidney Corob House in West Hampstead, one of the organisation’s residential homes for people with mental health needs.
Luciana Berger presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Rabbi Baroness Julia Neuberger. As well as serving as West London Synagogue’s Senior Rabbi, Rabbi Baroness Neuberger is a crossbench peer in the House of Lords and former CEO of the King’s Fund. A former Jewish Care Trustee, she has been a lifelong supportive friend of Jewish Care, a mental health campaigner and a passionate advocate of volunteers and the added value they bring. She was Vice Chair of the Mental Health Act Independent Review and chairs University College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Rabbi Baroness Neuberger said: “I’m so proud to be here and grateful to be given this award by Jewish Care. This organisation is amazing, breaking down barriers across the community and between people of all different backgrounds to create change and transform the lives of people in our community. In my time as Jewish Care Trustee, we worked together to help change the lives of older people and people who were living with long term mental illness.
“I want to pay tribute to so many other named and unnamed tough women who have led the community, running organisations to make a difference and support others”
Rabbi Baroness Neuberger also paid tribute to Luciana Berger MP, saying, “I have the greatest admiration for her in her fight against anti-Semitism. I don’t go on social media much but when I did in research for my book, I found that what she’d had to face was so shocking.”
Co-chairs of the Women of Distinction Committee, Danielle Hess and Danielle Lipton, said: “Luciana Berger MP and Rabbi Baroness Neuberger DBE continue to inspire us, making their own unique stamp on their professions, our community and greater society and we are delighted to recognise their commitment and dedication today.
