Rabbi Jacqueline Ninio was born in Adelaide in 1967. She attended Adelaide University where she completed a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Law degree. Rabbi Ninio then attended Hebrew Union College Jewish Institute of Religion where she obtained a Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters and rabbinic ordination in 1998, making her the seventh Australian born progressive rabbi and the third Australian born female rabbi.

Rabbi Ninio joined Emanuel Synagogue in 1998 and was the congregation’s first female rabbi. Rabbi Ninio is interested in the areas of midrash and liturgy and has a passion for storytelling. During her sabbatical in 1995 Rabbi Ninio studied Jewish folk stories and storytelling. Rabbi Ninio has established a women’s Rosh Hodesh group, myplayspace, a playgroup for children, Shabbat tot and many other child-focused celebrations and events. Rabbi Ninio believes in the centrality and importance of community, and providing a place where people feel valued, included and treasured. Rabbi Ninio is married and has one child.