Alexander Goldberg: Difference between revisions

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{{About|the rabbi|the chemical engineer and Technion President|Alexander Goldberg (chemical engineer)}}

'''Alexander Goldberg''' was born in [[Guildford]] in 1974. Alex is the Chairperson of [[CCJO René Cassin]] [http://www.renecassin.org] human rights group, Community Issues Director at the [[Board of Deputies]] of British Jews and the Chaplain to the [[University of Surrey]].

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2014}}

{{Use British English|date=March 2014}}

{{Infobox Jewish leader

| honorific-prefix = Rabbi

| name = Alexander Goldberg

| title = Dean of Religious Life and Belief, Coordinating and Jewish Chaplain of the University of Surrey

| image =

| caption =

| synagogue =

| synagogueposition = Dean of the College of Chaplains / Coordinating Chaplain / Rabbi

| yeshiva =

| yeshivaposition =

| organisation = [[University of Surrey]]

| began =

| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1974}}

| birth_place = [[Guildford]], England

| denomination = [[Modern Orthodox Judaism]]

| website = {{URL|http://www.alexgoldberg.eu}}

}}

'''Alexander Barnett Goldberg''' (born 1974) is the Dean of Religious Life and Belief, Coordinating and the Jewish Chaplain to the [[University of Surrey]], England, a rabbi, barrister, and human rights activist.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/biographies.shtml |title=BBC Religion Biographies | publisher=BBC |first=Alexander |last=Goldberg |___location=London}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=University Of Surrey {{!}} MySurrey|url=https://campus.surrey.ac.uk/faith-and-spirituality/meet-chaplains|access-date=2021-08-22|website=campus.surrey.ac.uk}}</ref>

==CCJO René Cassin==

In his role as Chairperson of [[CCJO René Cassin]] [http://www.renecassin.org] he negotiated the first-ever reference to group / collective rights in a [[United Nations]] instrument (The Basic Principles on Rights to Victims)[http://www.ohchr.org/english/law/remedy.htm]. The principles were adopted by the UN General Assembly in November 2005.

==Biography==

In June 2006, he was one of the first NGO representatives to address the inaugural session of the United Nations Human Rights Council [http://webcast.un.org/ramgen/conferences/hrc2006/hrc060623am-eng1.rm?start=02:45:48% (UN webcast)].

His family originates from Ireland and he has written and spoken on his Irish Jewish identity.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://jewishquarterly.org/2014/08/other-people-nationality-irish-jews-psychosis/ |title=Ireland and the Jews: Maurice White |first=Alexander |last=Goldberg |work=The Jewish Quarterly|date=5 August 2014 |accessdate=10 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/young-irish-blooms-1.121796/ |title=Young Irish Blooms |work=The Irish Times|date=7 January 1998 |accessdate=12 November 2015}}</ref>

Goldberg has spoken at the [[United Nations]] on religious and racial discrimination, as well as calling for the UN to take action on the situation in the [[Darfur]] region of [[Sudan]]<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2007/mar/30/thereisanewfountain |title=Fits and starts |first=Alexander |last=Goldberg |work=The Guardian|date=30 March 2007 |accessdate=16 July 2014}}</ref> and successfully campaigned for the inclusion of group rights within the [[UN]] Basic Principles on the Right to Remedy and Reparations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.un.org/ruleoflaw/blog/document/basic-principles-and-guidelines-on-the-right-to-a-remedy-and-reparation-for-victims-of-gross-violations-of-international-human-rights-law-and-serious-violations-of-international-humanitarian-law/ |title= Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law|work=The United Nations | date=2006}}</ref> He went on to collaborate with the UN and pilot their Faith for Rights programme.

He has spoken at the United Nations on religious and racial discrimination as well as calling for the UN to take action on the situation in the Darfur region of Sudan [http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/alexander_goldberg/2007/03/there_is_a_new_fountain.html].

Goldberg was the first rabbi to be appointed Coordinating Chaplain to a European and British university in April 2019 when he became Dean of Religious Life and Belief and head of the College of Chaplains at the [[University of Surrey]] leading a team of 15 Chaplains and 10 Religious Life and Belief Associates.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/rabbi-alex-goldberg-appointed-senior-chaplain-at-university-of-surrey/|title=Rabbi Alex Goldberg appointed senior chaplain at University of Surrey|last=Frot|first=Mathilde|website=jewishnews.timesofisrael.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://campus.surrey.ac.uk/faith-and-spirituality/meet-chaplain|title=MySurrey|website=campus.surrey.ac.uk|access-date=2020-02-15}}</ref> In addition, he is occasional and visiting Chaplain at [[Princeton University]], [[New Jersey]].

==Early Career==

He was called to the Bar in 2001 and was the first Executive Co-ordinator of the [http://www.barcouncil.org.uk Bar Council]'s think tank, the Bar and Policy Research Group before moving onto the [http://www.cre.gov.uk Commission for Racial Equality]. It is widely assumed that he was involved directly in negotiations over the [[Behzti]] affair in Birmingham where there were negotiations between the police, Sikh community and Birmingham Rep Theatre following tensions over the controversial play [http://www.cre.gov.uk/about/sci/casestudy6_behzti.html].

Goldberg was appointed Chief Executive of the [[London Jewish Forum]] in July 2008,<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/forum-gains-a-chief-exec |title=Forum gains a chief exec |first=Leon |last=Symons |work=[[The Jewish Chronicle]] |date=6 June 2008 |accessdate=16 July 2014}}</ref> having been the Community Issues Director at the [[Board of Deputies of British Jews]].<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.pjcea.org.uk/newsletter/2006/0608/0608bod.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927033206/http://www.pjcea.org.uk/newsletter/2006/0608/0608bod.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=2007-09-27 |title=Board Appoints New Community Issues Director |journal=Progressive Jewish Community of East Anglia Newsletter |date=August 2006 |accessdate=16 July 2014 }}</ref> In June 2007, Goldberg was involved in trying to find a solution to a crisis in the orthodox Jewish community over marriage visas. The Home Office proposed to introduce measures that would raise the age limit for international marriage visas from 18 to 21, which would impact on the strictly orthodox community.<ref>{{cite news |title=Orthodox avert marriage crisis as Home Office makes new proposal |newspaper=The Jewish Chronicle |date=6 July 2007}}</ref> He was part of a delegation that met with the immigration minister in March 2008 to express their concerns over the proposal.<ref>[http://www.religiousintelligence.co.uk/news/?NewsID=1737 Religious Intelligence - News - British Jews express concerns at marriage law changes]{{dead link|date=October 2013}}</ref>

Alex Goldberg supported the introduction of legislation that would widen the scope of the law that outlawed incitement to hatred. In 2004, the Hindu and Muslim communities were not included in existing legislation that combated racial hatred whilst Sikhs and Jews were covered by the exiting law. He advised a group of Parliamentarians to support the introduction of a new law [http://www.shaunwoodward.com/go/Page_214.html].

Goldberg helped raised several millions pounds for both the [[University of Surrey]], a Jewish school and the [[United Synagogue]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thejc.com/community/community-life/112941/from-london-forum-us-funding-challenge.|title=The Jewish Chronicle|work=thejc.com|accessdate=23 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theus.org.uk/article/united-synagogue-awarded-national-lottery-support-willesden-jewish-cemetery|title=United Synagogue|work=theus.org.uk|accessdate=23 September 2016}}</ref> and has been part of a team seeking to build a multifaith centre<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2007/aug/05/roomofourown |title=Room of our own |first=Alexander |last=Goldberg |work=The Guardian|date=5 August 2007 |accessdate=16 July 2014}}</ref> at the University of Surrey.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://download.guardian.co.uk/sys-audio/Guardian/Islamophonic/2007/09/06/Islamophonic30082007.mp3 |title=Guardian Webcast |work=The Guardian |date=6 September 2007}}</ref> The building was envisaged to be the first building in Britain to have a synagogue, mosque and chapel built separately under one roof and is designed to have facilities for six major faiths.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/surrey/7077826.stm | work=BBC News | title=Multi-faith centre plans approved | date=4 November 2007}}</ref> The centre obtained planning permission in November 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://portal.surrey.ac.uk/portal/page?_pageid=799,1754677&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |title=Green light for groundbreaking Multi-Faith Centre at the University of Surrey |work=University of Surrey |date=2 November 2007 |accessdate=16 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207040046/http://portal.surrey.ac.uk/portal/page?_pageid=799,1754677&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |archive-date=7 February 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The team presented their work to Queen [[Elizabeth II]] in November 2011, whereon she remarked that the University ‘is leading the way’.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://www.surrey.ac.uk/mediacentre/press/2012/71795_universitys_jewish_chaplain_to_join_olympics.htm | title=Chaplain to Join Olympics |date=18 January 2012}}</ref> The university has since renovated and rebuilt the centre in 2018 whilst opening up multiple hubs on campus including a Pastoral Care hub and a new faith hub on its second Manor Park campus alongside the university’s pre-existing Islamic Prayer Room which has been on campus for a number of years.

Following the [[7 July 2005 London bombings]] he set up an Observatory at the CRE<ref>'The Aftermath - Community Relations', The Interfaith Update: Issue 28, IFN, Summer 2005</ref> to monitor community tensions. Within a few months of this he was seconded to the [[Metropolitan Police]].

Goldberg now runs the Religious Life and Belief Centre as the University's Coordinating Chaplain and Dean of Religious Life and Belief.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.montefioreendowment.org.uk/2019/09/25/rabbi-alex-goldberg-has-been-appointed-senior-chaplain-at-the-university-of-surrey/|title=Rabbi Alex Goldberg has been appointed senior chaplain at the University of Surrey – Montefiore Endowment|last=Gubbay|first=Lucien|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-02-15}}</ref>

==Board of Deputies of British Jews==

In July 2006, it was announced that he had become the Community Issues Director at the [[Board of Deputies of British Jews]] [http://www.pjcea.org.uk/newsletter/2006/0608/0608bod.htm] In this role he campaigned publicly against amendments to the Education and Inspection Bill 2006 by Lord Baker and the Government that would have seen the state imposition of mandatory quotas on voluntary aided faith schools. The Government withdrew their amendment after strong opposition from the Catholic and Jewish communities [http://www.jta.org/page_view_story.asp?strwebhead=Interfaith%20coalition%20works%20in%20U.K.&intcategoryid=2&SearchOptimize=Jewish%20News]. In June 2007, it was reported that Alex Goldberg was involved in trying to find a solution to a crisis in the Orthodox community over marriage visas. The Home Office has proposed to introduce measures that would up the age limit for international marriage visas from 18 to 21 which would impact on the strictly orthodox community. <ref>Orthodox avert marriage crisis as Home Office makes new proposal, The Jewish Chronicle, 6th July 2007</ref>

Goldberg was chair of the Faith Forum for London and part of the team that organised the [[Mayor of London]]'s Faith Conference in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/44970/boris-johnson-keeps-faith-social-links |title=Boris Johnson keeps faith with social links |first=Simon |last=Rocker |work=The Jewish Chronicle |date=10 February 2011 |accessdate=16 July 2014}}</ref> At the Board of Deputies he spoke out against a proposed Bill that would have seen the state imposition of mandatory quotas on voluntary aided faith schools and in support of the interfaith coalition opposing it.<ref>[https://www.jta.org/news/article-print/2006/11/29/14715/Afterdefeatoffait?TB_iframe=true&width=750&height=500 - Jewish & Israel News] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120803000218/http://www.jta.org/news/article-print/2006/11/29/14715/Afterdefeatoffait?TB_iframe=true&width=750&height=500 |date=3 August 2012 }}</ref>

==International Council of Christian and Jews==

Alex Goldberg first came onto the international scene as the YLS President of the [http://www.iccj.org International Council of Christians and Jews]. He was the first President to open the movement up to Muslims. He worked in bringing Jews, Christians and Muslims together from all over the Middle East and proposed the first-ever Erasmus-style scheme to the Government of [[Jordan]] in 1999. This concept was put on hold due to mounting tensions in the region. In South America, he arranged an interfaith commemoration which saw for the first-time in the continent's history the reciting from the Quran by an imam in a synagogue.

Goldberg was appointed Jewish Chaplain to the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] in London<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.surrey.ac.uk/mediacentre/press/2012/71795_universitys_jewish_chaplain_to_join_olympics.htm | work=Surrey University | title=University's Jewish Chaplain To Join Olympics | date=18 January 2012}}</ref> and led a consortium 2012 Hour Against Hate that was commended by London 2012 and awarded recognition to use the Olympic Peace Truce symbol. He chaired [[the Football Association]]'s Faith in Football group<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/WhatWeDo/Equality/RacialEquality/News/2011/faith-in-football-270611 | work=www.thefa.com | title=Faith in Football |date=27 June 2011}}</ref> and attended an anti-discrimination in football summit hosted by the prime minister at Downing Street in February 2012.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/63983/cameron-discusses-racism-football | work=[[The Jewish Chronicle]] | title=Cameron discusses Racism and Football |date=23 February 2012}}</ref> In 2019, he initiated a project that saw a building of a [[Sukkah]] in [[Wembley Stadium]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com/wembley-stadium-hosts-succah-for-the-first-time/|title=Wembley Stadium hosts succah for the first time!|last=Cohen|first=Justin|website=jewishnews.timesofisrael.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-15}}</ref> He has served on two Department for Education Ministerial Steering Committees<ref>{{cite news| url= http://www.faithsforum4london.org/about/team/| title=Our Team |work=Faiths Forum for London}}</ref>

==Chaplain==

In recent years he has been appointed as Chaplain to the [[University of Surrey]] where he initiated the first Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration in Surrey. He has been part of the team that is building a £5million Multifaith Centre at the University of Surrey. This will be the first building in Britain to have a Synagogue, Mosque and Chapel built separately under one roof.

Goldberg was the first rabbi to visit Lebanon's second city of [[Tripoli, Lebanon|Tripoli]] in 2019, having been part of a delegation of religious leaders sponsored by the [[European Union]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2019/Feb-05/475888-rabbi-makes-visit-to-tripoli-to-promote-religious-dialogue.ashx|title=Rabbi laments loss of Lebanon's Jewish communities, promotes religious dialogue |website=www.dailystar.com.lb|access-date=2020-02-15}}</ref>

==Other==

He has widely written on human rights and interfaith issues and is a national advisor to the [http://www.surrey.ac.uk/Arts/CRONEM/advisory-board.htm Center for Research on Nationalism, Ethnicity and Multiculturalism], a founding member of the [[Three Faiths Forum]] and a member of the [[Board of Deputies of British Jews]] Group Relations Committee. He regularly contributes to television and radio on social, religious and political issues.

Goldberg previously contributed to ''[[The Guardian]]'' newspaper, where he defended religious courts.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.theguardian.com/profile/alexandergoldberg |title=Alexander Goldberg: Profile |work=The Guardian |year=2014 |accessdate=16 July 2014}}</ref> He is a panelist on BBC One's ''[[The Big Questions]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.alexgoldberg.eu/Media.html |title=Broadcasting and Media |work=alexgoldberg.eu |year=2012 |accessdate=16 July 2014}}</ref> He regularly contributes and cohosts the Sunday Morning Breakfast Show on [[BBC Surrey]] and [[BBC Sussex]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2013/06/jewish-chaplain-to-host-bbc-surrey-show/ |title=Radio Today|date=17 June 2013 |accessdate=12 November 2015}}</ref> He is one of the regular contributor’s to [[BBC Radio 2]]’s ''[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p015nm0y Pause for Thought]''.

==External links==

===Websites===

*[http://www.guildfordjewish.com/index_files/chaplain.htm University of Surrey Jewish Chaplain]

*[http://students.guildfordjewish.com/ University of Surrey Jewish Students Webpages]

*[http://portal.surrey.ac.uk/portal/page?_pageid=704,258865&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL University of Surrey Chaplains Website]

*[http://www.renecassin.org CCJO René Cassin Website]

*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/biographies.shtml#alexandergoldberg BBC - Religion and Ethics - Alexander Goldberg Biography]

*[http://www.bod.org.uk/ Board of Deputies Website]

*[http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/alexander_goldberg/ Guardian Online - Comment is Free Blog and Profile]

*[http://www.alexgoldberg.eu/ Alexander Goldberg's site]

===Webcasts===

*[http://webcast.un.org/ramgen/conferences/hrc2006/hrc060623am-eng1.rm?start=02:45:48% United Nations Human Rights Council - address to inaugral Human Rights Council]

*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/southerncounties/realmedia/2006/06/torah_rabbi_arch001.ram BBC Radio Website broadcast]

*[http://www.alexgoldberg.eu/Alexander%20Goldberg/Podcast/418A68CE-AAB7-4E5C-9732-31C8DC50A8A0.html BBC SCR - Festival of Faiths]

==References==

{{Reflist|30em}}

<div class="references-small"><references/></div>

==External links==

*[http://www.alexgoldberg.eu/ AlexanderAlex Goldberg's sitewebsite]

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[[Category:Living people]]

[[Category:People associated with the University of Surrey|Goldberg, Alexander]]

[[Category:EnglishPeople Jews|Goldberg,associated Alexanderwith the University of Surrey]]

[[Category:Irish21st-century Jews|Goldberg,English Alexanderrabbis]]

[[Category:Clergy from Guildford]]

[[Category:English people of Irish-Jewish descent]]

[[Category:Jewish chaplains]]

[[Category:English barristers]]

[[Category:Jewish human rights activists]]

[[Category:English human rights activists]]

[[Category:Jewish English activists]]