Rabbi awarded prestigious diversity prize

A rabbi who serves as senior chaplain at Surrey University has been honoured with a prestigious diversity award.

Alex Goldberg has been recognised with the Award for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for his work as its Coordinating Chaplain and Dean of Religious Life.

After having served in the role for just under two years, he becomes the first ever chaplain to receive the coveted prize, which recognises a staff member who has supported diverse groups on campus.

Vice-Chancellor Max Lu, who chaired the committee which decided the award, said: “As senior chaplain, Alex has the faith strand of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the heart of his daily work, yet he looks beyond this characteristic and understands the intersectional diversity that makes up all of Surrey’s staff and students. He is a positive role model who always looks for ways to champion equality, diversity and inclusion”.

Rabbi Goldberg said: “It is a privilege to serve 19,000 staff and students at the University and Winning the Vice-Chancellors Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award means so much to me.

“I see this as a recognition of our entire Chaplaincy team of 15 Chaplains and 7 support workers from 8 world faiths” he said, praising “their tireless efforts in creating a sense of community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic”.

“It has been the most rewarding two years of my life”.

• Read – Rabbi Alex Goldberg: How a rabbi saved Christmas on campus 

Laura Smythson, Head of Wellbeing and Welfare, said rabbi Goldberg “transformed the chaplaincy from an outdated model to a lively, innovative, inclusive and fresh-faced” institution.

Michael Hassell, Equality and Diversity Adviser, also praised how “he embraces and supports the LGBTQI+ communities within all faiths. He is a positive role model who always looks for ways to champion equality, diversity and inclusion.”