Rosita served as Executive Director of Liberal Judaism from 1989-1997, the first woman to ever hold the role.

Her entire life was spent completely immersed in every aspect of Liberal Judaism, including its congregations, events and partner organisations such as Leo Baeck College.

Liberal Judaism’s current Chief Executive Officer Rabbi Charley Baginsky said: “Rosita was an inspiration, a mentor and a confidante to me and so many others. She was loved by all who knew her and will be deeply missed. Her achievements for Liberal Judaism still stand and inspire to this day.”

To add your memories of Rosita to this page, email them to montagu@liberaljudaism.org

In memory of Rosita, and as a means to ensure her legacy continues, and with the support of her family, we are creating a fund in her name to support young people grow and develop into a new generation of Liberal Jewish leaders through their attendance of LJY-Netzer activities.

Click here to donate to the fund, leaving as a message “Rosita Rosenberg LJY Support Fund”, and email montagu@liberaljudaism.org to leave a tribute to Rosita.

Please note that to only pay once via direct debit, simply select “one-off” at the top of the first page.

I remember Rosita with great fondness when I worked with her at ULPS for 6 years (1989 – 1995). During that time she took over the helm from Rabbi Dr Sidney Brichto and we moved out (and then back)  into temporary premises while the Montagu Centre was being redeveloped.  It was full on and very busy and she was a supportive boss who cared deeply for Liberal Judaism. I remember annual retreats with the Officers where policy was discussed and how I was asked to hold the Havdalah candle as I was the youngest by many years.  We sat through countless meetings where I would be taking the Minutes and Rosita would always be steering discussions.  A great woman, so passionate for what she believed in and with time for everyone. 

Sadly it was also during those years that Rosita lost Stanley.  She was a strong woman who didn’t allow emotion through too much at work but in her private life his loss was absolutely devasting. It was so unexpected and at such a young age. My thoughts and love go out to Sallie who was working in her own catering company back then, the Salmonella Sisters – what a great name! 

- Sharon Silver-Myer

Rosita had such a major impact on the development of Liberal Judaism over many, many years.

Not only did she administer the whole movement but after her retirement she continued to influence the progress of Liberal Judaism for the future. Her influence touched so many generations. 

She was a very bubbly ,fun and lively person, always warm to whoever she met. She cared deeply about her Judaism and a great example of a Progressive woman who will be hugely missed.

-With our sorrow and appreciation, Kathy Shock and the Liberal Services Team

Sheila & I are grateful to Rosita for enjoying more than fifty years of her friendship which commenced in 1969 with the initial meeting to found the Stanmore Liberal Jewish Congregation (now TLSE), until our final conversation with her in hospital last Friday.

Terry also fondly remembers the time in the 80’s and 90’s during Rosita’s period as executive director of ULPS when he, as Treasurer of ULPS, worked closely with Rosita at innumerable meetings all of which were made enjoyable by her wise council and unfailing sense of humour whatever the circumstances.

- Sheila & Terry Benson

She has been a very special friend over many years and our whole community will miss her hugely.

- With much love, Carrol and Mike Cummins

Fond and funny memories of a very special person since her days as Ner Tamid Secretary at South London.

- Prue and Stan Baker

An amazing inspirational Lady....I will miss you Rosita xx

- David Newham

In appreciation of Rosita who from when I was a small child to when we knew her so much later as a loving family member, with children and grandchildren of our own, remembering her kindness and her professional achievements.

- With love from Peter, Suzy and our family. xxx

In loving memory of Rosita Rosenberg, a lifetime of friendship and working together for LJ.

- Tessa Samson

In memory of Rosita Rosenberg who gave so much of herself.

- Alexandra Weiss

I heard on Monday the immensely sad news that my old friend Rosita Rosenberg, who had been quite ill for the last few years, had died in hospital. Her death has been on my mind all this week and so I am going to use my Thought for the Week to reflect a little on her life and our friendship. She was one of the titans of Liberal Judaism and our movement will not see her like again.

Rosita was initially the assistant to Greta Hyman, z”l, another titan, and over the years she rose up the ULPS office ladder to become Organising Secretary when Rabbi Sidney Brichto, z”l, was the Executive Director of the movement, succeeding him to that position when he left. She was always conscious of the fact that in this senior role she was often dismissed because she was a) a woman and b) not a rabbi. And at the time there were some redoubtable senior rabbis who were the regular port of call for the media and others when they wanted a Liberal Jewish voice. I used to say to her that the fact she was a woman and NOT a rabbi was a massive plus, and besides, no one who knew her would ever have written her off. Rosita was extremely bright, had an encyclopedic knowledge not just of the workings of the Montagu Centre but of the entire Liberal movement, its lay leaders, its rabbis and its members.

Rosita was physically large but had an even larger presence: she was a powerhouse who worked incredibly hard for Liberal Judaism not because it was her job but because she passionately believed in it. She and her late husband Stanley were liberal jews by choice, and because Liberal Judaism’s outlook on the world accorded with their own. They were among the founder generation of Hertsmere Progressive Synagogue, now Elstree Liberal, and even though she worked all week for Liberal Judaism, days and evenings, she was still active in her synagogue, and she never had the airs or graces of the great and the good – of whom she was one – but was warm and approachable to everyone. She had a wonderful sense of humour, an essential faculty in her working life, and being around her there was always a lot of laughter.

Rosita and I knew each other from my teens onwards, and even though she remembered many things about my sadly un-misspent youth she took me very seriously as I became more advanced in my studies and then as a rabbi, ultimately to become her successor as the leader of the movement. Admittedly there were occasions when she liked to tease me in public, but it was always done with love, and I probably needed it.

I will never forget the day when I was phoned to be told that Stanley, Rosita’s husband and father of their daughter Sallie, had died. I rushed round to their home and spent time sitting with her, and other mutual friends, as the process leading to his funeral began. The suddenness must have been a terrible shock, but I remember her dignity and calm in the face of the worst adversity imaginable. I conducted the funeral, which was packed, Stanley was a fine man and they shared a huge cast of friends, and I remember how she exuded such fortitude while the grief and sympathy of those present eddied around her and Sallie. Until ill health curtailed her life, Rosita had a busy retirement and indulged in the recreations – theatre and travel – that gave her life extra meaning. She and I used to have lunch several times a year back in the better times, and she was always happy to offer a shoulder, or sage advice, during my term as the movement’s executive director.

When those we know and love leave our lives there is a gap once occupied by them in our hearts. It may be shallow or deep but it is there for us to fill with memories of those we have lost. My own life, and I can safely say the lives of thousands of others, would have been immeasurably impoverished if we had not had the blessing, the privilege and the joy to have had Rosita Rosenberg in it, she was easy to love and easy to admire.

May the memories of Rosita Rosenberg, one of the greats of British Liberal Judaism and one of the best people I have ever known, be a blessing and an inspiration to those who cherish it.

Zikhronah livrachah: Amen

- Rabbi Dr Charles Middleburgh