Rabbi Dr Aviva Kipen
Leo Baeck Centre is delighted to welcome Rabbi Dr Aviva Kipen as our congregational rabbi.
Following a comprehensive search process, Rabbi Kipen was appointed to provide religious leadership, Jewish education and pastoral care for our community. Her appointment reflects Leo Baeck Centre’s commitment to nurturing a vibrant Progressive Jewish congregation while ensuring responsible stewardship of our community’s resources.
Our Rabbi brings extensive rabbinic experience, deep pastoral insight and a longstanding commitment to Leo Baeck Centre. Many members know her through her years of dedicated service as our Pastoral Care Rabbi, as well as through her leadership of Shabbat services and other significant moments in the life of our congregation.
As our congregational rabbi, Rabbi Aviva provides spiritual leadership, pastoral support and Jewish learning, working alongside our lay leadership to enrich the religious and communal life of Leo Baeck Centre. She leads services throughout the year, including the High Holy Days, and supports our members in celebrating life-cycle events such as B’nai Mitzvah.
Emeritus Rabbi Jonathan Keren-Black
Following his retirement from full-time service in January 2023, Rabbi Jonathan Keren-Black was appointed Emeritus Rabbi of Leo Baeck Centre in recognition of his two decades of dedicated leadership.
Ordained at Leo Baeck College in London in 1988, Rabbi Jonathan served congregations in the United Kingdom before joining Leo Baeck Centre in 2003. During his tenure, he made significant contributions to Progressive Judaism in Australia through his leadership, interfaith engagement, environmental advocacy and the development of Progressive Jewish prayer books.
We are deeply grateful for Rabbi Jonathan’s dedicated service and the lasting contribution he has made to Leo Baeck Centre and the wider Progressive Jewish community.