Rabbi Stephen Howard

I was born in London in 1955 and was an enthusiastic member of the Socialist Zionist youth movement Habonim, as well as of North London Progressive Synagogue where I was Bar Mitzvah and confirmed.

My family moved to Brighton in 1973 and I became the first chairman of ULPSNYC, (now LJY-Netzer, the Youth Movement of Liberal Judaism) representing Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue.

I graduated in 1978 from University College London with a BSc (Hons.) in Applied Physics and immediately made aliyah with a group from Habonim. After living on kibbutz for two years, I returned to London and, after two years working for British Telecom, entered Leo Baeck College in 1982.   

In 1983, I married Abigail whom I had met at a Leo Baeck College Religion School teachers training weekend. We now have three children, Louise, Rachel and Sam.   After graduating from Leo Baeck College in 1987, my rabbinic dissertation being on 'The Deaf in Jewish Law', I became rabbi at Southgate Progressive Synagogue, where I have been ever since.   

I was awarded an MA in Religious Education from the University of London Institute of Education and the Centre for Jewish education in 1994, specialising in Jewish adult education.  

I have served Liberal Judaism as head of adult education and have chaired the Rabbinic Conference. Currently, I am a governor of the Leo Baeck College - Centre for Jewish Education.