Rabbinical Couple

Meet Rabbi Aaron Lipsey

Rabbi Aaron Lipsey grew up in Manchester and studied at Chabad yeshivos in London, Israel and New York, discovering along the way that rain wasn't the only weather. In 2004, he and his wife Miriam were appointed to lead the Sale and District Hebrew Congregation. In 2011, they moved to Newcastle upon Tyne, where they remained for over fourteen years.

Alongside his congregational responsibilities, Rabbi Aaron served as Jewish chaplain to universities across the North East. He chaired the Newcastle Council of Faiths, organised educational visits to Israel for senior Christian clergy, and led interfaith groups to Poland to learn about the Holocaust. He has spent much of his career explaining Judaism to people who know too little about it, and occasionally to people who think they know too much.

He holds a Master's degree in Religions and Theology, awarded with Distinction by the University of Manchester, and is pursuing a PhD researching the Lubavitcher Rebbe's responses to the Holocaust. His interests include Jewish history, philosophy, Chassidic thought and classical Jewish texts.

Rabbi Aaron and Miriam joined the New West End Synagogue in December 2025. The grand Grade I-listed building expressed the confidence of Jewish life in Victorian London. Their ambition is to bring that same confidence and sense of purpose to the community today, ensuring that the New West End has a future as compelling as its past.

At the heart of Rabbi Aaron's work is his conviction that Judaism speaks directly to the challenges and opportunities of life in the twenty-first century. In a world of constant change and competing demands, Torah offers meaning, direction and purpose. For him, Jewish identity is not simply a matter of where we come from. It shapes how we live, the choices we make and the contribution each of us can make to the world.

Drawing on the insights of Jewish thinkers across the generations, he seeks to help people discover the depth of their Jewish heritage and their own spiritual potential. He believes a synagogue should be a place to pray, learn, ask questions, build friendships and grow, with room for every Jew, whatever their background or level of observance.

Outside the rabbinate, Rabbi Aaron is an Arsenal fan, even when they make it difficult. He enjoys plane spotting and has a library of more than 2,500 books, some of which he has even managed to read.

Do come and introduce yourself. He's always happy to talk about anything, especially aeroplanes.

Meet Rebbetzen Miriam Lipsey

Rebbetzen Miriam Lipsey has spent more than twenty years bringing people together and making them feel at home, often quite literally. Her hospitality is legendary, as are her homemade challot and baked desserts. Guests usually return for both.

Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, Miriam studied in Johannesburg and New York before she and Aaron settled in England shortly after marrying. Her communal career began in Sale, Greater Manchester, in 2004. Seven years later, they moved to Newcastle for what was supposed to be a four-year appointment. Time must move more slowly in the North East, because they stayed for fourteen years. In December 2025, Miriam and Rabbi Aaron joined the New West End Synagogue.

In Newcastle, Miriam played an active role in community life, particularly in bringing women together and welcoming university students, many living away from home for the first time. She also built lasting friendships with visiting families, travelling Israelis and many others.

Miriam grew up in a non-practising Jewish home. When she was nine or ten, her family began to embrace a more religious way of life, an experience that helps her connect with people who are not yet observant themselves. She understands that everyone comes to Jewish life from a different starting point and should never feel embarrassed about what they don't know.

Her quiet, understated manner puts people at ease. She listens carefully, takes a genuine interest in others and earns their trust without making a fuss. That ability to connect with people has made her a natural leader in the shul and the wider community, and a role model for many.

Her approach to Jewish life is summed up in a favourite expression: “We are G-d's salesmen, not His policemen.”

Miriam also has a determined streak. She tackles things that don't come naturally to her and, once she has decided something is worth doing, sees it through. She prefers to get on with things without making a song and dance about it.

Miriam and Aaron have five children, two sons-in-law, one future son-in-law and three grandchildren. Miriam enjoys Pilates and other forms of exercise, including long walks in the park. She plays the piano, although finding the time is another matter.

Whether you've been coming to the New West End for decades or are visiting for the first time, Miriam would love to meet you.

And if she offers you some challah, take it.