Rabbi Robyn Ashworth-Steen’s Manchester induction

Rabbi Robyn Ashworth-Steen was officially inaugurated as Manchester Reform Synagogue‘s Associate Rabbi on 16 December 2018.

She previously completed a degree in theology and religious studies at Newnham College Cambridge and worked as a solicitor with a focus on human rights before studying for the rabbinate at the Leo Baeck College where she graduated in 2017.

Rabbi Robyn is a passionate social activist and co-founder of Tzelem; the Rabbinic Call for Social and Economic Justice in the UK.

Synagogue council member Peter Arkwright said: “Rabbi Robyn grew up in Manchester with our community and is very much part of our family, so it is great to have her home. She has already made her mark, particularly in relation to bringing families with young children into the fold and running more informal educations sessions – Torah on Tap.

She has led a number of Shabbat and festival services, demonstrating a real flair for ensuring that they remain dignified and at the same time relevant to our ever-changing world”.

Rabbi Robyn said: “It is a real blessing to be back serving my home community. It was wonderful to celebrate our community at my induction as we are at the start of a very exciting time for our 161 year old community as we begin our re-development project. Building and co-creating a contemplative, courageous community in the heart of Manchester’s city centre”.