Sale Hebrew Congregation's Rabbi Aaron Lipsey is the new minister of Newcastle's United Hebrew Congregation, succeeding Rabbi Dovid Lewis, who is moving in the opposite direction to South Manchester Synagogue in Bowdon.

Rabbi Lipsey, his wife Miriam and their four children will arrive at the end of July and the minister will start his duties on August 1.

Shul president Samuel Pearlman said the council and executive had unanimously ratified the appointment.

Although disappointed to lose Rabbi Lewis, he looked forward to the new era.