“Jewish Wedding of the Year” – It’s an Anti-Wedding, of Course

Daily Mail
February 18, 2014

Rabbi Julia is pictured with her daughter Harriet, who is to be among the first batch of same-sex weddings held at the West London Synagogue. There is great excitement the rabbi might officiate on the day
Rabbi Julia is pictured with her daughter Harriet, who is to be among the first batch of anti-weddings held at the West London Synagogue. There is great excitement the rabbi might officiate on the day.

This is the Jewish wedding of the year.

Rabbi Julia Neuberger’s daughter Harriet, 34, is to be among the first batch of same-sex weddings held at the West London Synagogue.

Harriet will tie the knot with her long-term girlfriend, Claire Summers, 35, in May.

Baroness Neuberger, 63, is senior rabbi of the West London Synagogue, near Marble Arch, so there is great excitement that she might be persuaded to officiate on the day.

The Reform rabbi is a passionate supporter of same-sex marriage and jokingly stated last year that she was waiting for the day she could hold a ‘Moonie-style mass gay wedding’.

She said: ‘West London has been a pioneer in the march to equality for all, and we are rightly proud of our tolerant, inclusive, gay-friendly atmosphere.’

Baroness Neuberger, 63, is senior rabbi of the West London Synagogue, near Marble Arch. She jokingly stated last year that she was waiting for the day she could hold a 'Moonie-style mass gay wedding'
Baroness Neuberger, 63, is senior rabbi of the West London Synagogue, near Marble Arch. She jokingly stated last year that she was waiting for the day she could hold a ‘Moonie-style mass gay wedding’.

The first same-sex marriages in Britain take place on March 29 when five gay couples are due to wed at the West London Synagogue.

However, it is not known if Harriet will be part of a Moonie-style mass ceremony or will have a separate service.

If Rabbi Julia did officiate, it would certainly make Reform Judaism more liberal and free-thinking than the Church of England.

Harriet, a graduate of Newnham College, Cambridge, and her bride, Claire, are members of the Windrush Triathlon Club and live in South London. Harriet has worked at a hostel for the homeless in London and did a master’s degree in social work.

Rabbi Julia, whose husband is a professor of finance, has always been something of a trailblazer. She was ordained a rabbi in 1977 — only the second woman to be so honoured in Britain — and became a Dame in 2003.

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