Rabbi Aaron Goldstein

Rabbi Aaron Goldstein became Senior Rabbi of NPLS in September 2008, succeeding his father Rabbi Dr Andrew Goldstein. From 2001 Rabbi Aaron was the Outreach Director for Liberal Judaism and from autumn 2007 combined this role with a part-time position as Assistant Rabbi at NPLS.

He graduated in 1993 from the University of Aston in the field of Ergonomics and Business Studies and had a successful career with British Steel managing their business with Japanese Vehicle Transplants in Europe. In 2001, he gained a BA and then an MA in Hebrew and Jewish Studies and was ordained as a Rabbi in 2002.

As Outreach Director, he worked closely with lay and professional leadership of congregations of all sizes to identify areas of growth. He also identified potential locations for new congregations and supported the establishment and development of Liberal Jewish Communities in Edinburgh and Manchester amongst others. His innovative ‘tent, the meeting place’ and ‘Ideas Café’ has had a tremendous impact in attracting students and young adults.

At NPLS, Aaron has furthered his outreach work and the rich legacy left to him in creating a non-judgmental environment in which Jews and all those who seek to connect to a Jewish community can do so. Although NPLS is a large Community, Aaron prides himself in having spoken with every household and understanding the connections that they value in Judaism and NPLS. All new members are personally welcomed and supported in quickly identifying NPLS as their home from home, a place where all feel equally valued in a safe and comfortable space.

Aaron is passionate about developing Liberal Judaism in the UK and is the co-Chair of LJ's Rabbinic Conference. He has spoken on BBC Radio 4, BBC London and Three Counties Radio, writes a regular column for the Jewish News and on-line has featured for The Guardian, Haaretz, Independent and Pink News. He has focussed most recently on campaigns for equal rights for Progressive Jews in Israel and Equal Marriage in the UK.

He is married to Tammy and they have two daughters, Liora and Shaya.