
Rabbi Debbie Young-Somers teaches at Leo Baeck College a course entitled World Religions 101 which allows students to explore their own encounter with other faiths, and dialogue between faiths. She was ordained by Leo Baeck College in 2009, also earning a distinction for her MA. Her first degree was in Religious Studies (1st class hons) at Lancaster University (2001), and she was a Buber Fellow at Paideia, the European Centre for Jewish Studies (2003). Having volunteered in the Interfaith world for several years, and served as the Chair of the Young Leadership Council of the International Council of Christians and Jews, Debbie worked at the UK Council of Christians and Jews from 2003-2004. Her first post-Rabbinic role was at West London Synagogue where she co-ordinated Interfaith activities and the Jewish Preparation programme, as well as developing an interfaith programme for teenagers. She is currently working at the Movement for Reform Judaism as the Community Educator. She has been published in magazines and journals, regularly writes for the Jewish press, and is a regular contributor to Radio 2’s Pause for Thought, BBC 3 Counties Radio and BBC London. and the Jewish News. Debbie has published prayers and chapters in several books, including writing on issues addressing interfaith matters in ‘Words for Today 2013’ ed. Nicola Slee, 2012, IBRA, ‘Deep Calls to Deep’ ed. Tony Bayfield, 2017 SCM Press and ‘Pope Francis and Interreligious Dialogue’ ed. Kasimow and Race, 2018, Palgrave Macmillan.