Michael Vivian Sternberg
British family law barrister, King's Counsel, senior figure in Liberal Judaism and interfaith leader
| Michael Vivian Sternberg | |
| Born | 1948 |
|---|---|
| Died | |
| Nationality | British |
| Residence | |
| Occupation | Barrister, King's Counsel |
| Known for | President of the Faith & Belief Forum; senior lay leader in Liberal Judaism; son of Sir Sigmund Sternberg; father of District Judge Daniel Isiah Sternberg |
| Parents | |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | |
| Sibling(s) | |
| Website | |
Michael Vivian Sternberg KC (born 1948) is a British family law barrister and King's Counsel. He is a senior figure in Liberal Judaism (the UK’s progressive/Reform Jewish movement) and President of the Faith & Belief Forum, one of Britain’s leading interfaith organisations.[1]
Career
Sternberg has practised family law at the Bar for over four decades and was appointed King’s Counsel. He is recognised for his expertise in complex family disputes and has held leadership positions in both legal and Jewish communal bodies.
Role in Liberal Judaism
Michael Sternberg is a long-standing member of the Liberal Jewish Synagogue in St John’s Wood, London, and has served in senior lay governance and advisory roles at the synagogue for many years. He is therefore directly affiliated with Liberal Judaism, the progressive Jewish movement represented by the synagogue.[1]
His father, Sir Sigmund Sternberg, was a major supporter and benefactor of the separate Movement for Reform Judaism (often referred to simply as “Reform” in the UK), creating a clear distinction between the two progressive Jewish streams in the family’s communal involvement.
Interfaith leadership
As President of the Faith & Belief Forum, Sternberg continues the interfaith legacy established by his father.
Family
Michael Sternberg is the elder son of philanthropist and interfaith campaigner Sir Sigmund Sternberg (1921–2016). He is married to Marliese Sternberg. Their son is District Judge Daniel Isiah Sternberg (born September 1982), who served as Honorary Lawyer of the Liberal Jewish Synagogue until 2022.
Family tree (simplified, showing known direct line and siblings):
- Joseph Sternberg (father of Sir Sigmund)
- Rosa Sternberg (mother of Sir Sigmund)
- Sir Sigmund Sternberg (2 June 1921 – 18 October 2016), philanthropist and interfaith campaigner
- m1. (1949–1969) Ruth Schiff (divorced; died c. 1999)
- Michael Vivian Sternberg KC (b. 1948), family law barrister and President of the Faith & Belief Forum. Michael Vivian Sternberg KC (born 1948) is married to Marliese Sternberg (née Levinson).[2]
- Daniel Isaiah Sternberg (b. September 1982), District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) and former Honorary Lawyer of The Liberal Jewish Synagogue
- Frances Aviva Blane, contemporary artist
- Michael Vivian Sternberg KC (b. 1948), family law barrister and President of the Faith & Belief Forum. Michael Vivian Sternberg KC (born 1948) is married to Marliese Sternberg (née Levinson).[2]
- m2. (1970–2014) Hazel Everett-Jones (widow of Sigmund’s cousin Victor Sternberg; died May 2014)
- Ruth Tamir (née Sternberg), trustee of the Sir Sigmund Sternberg Charitable Foundation. Married to Noam Tamir (also a trustee)
- David Sternberg
Sir Sigmund’s sister or close relative through the Perlman line, Suzanne Perlman, was frequently present at family events and memorials.
See also
Liberal Judaism Liberal Jewish Synagogue Sir Sigmund Sternberg Daniel Isiah Sternberg Faith & Belief Forum
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Faith & Belief Forum, Michael Vivian Sternberg KC Faith & Belief Forum, accessed 5 April 2026.
- ↑ https://www.freebmd2.org.uk/69d2c0bf86557472920bc0c6/entry-information/270445735/daniel-isaiah-sternberg-birth-greater-london-from-jun1965-camden-v14-p1854?locale=en&search_entry=270445735