Ariel is rabbi of the historic Liverpool Old Hebrew Congregation (“Princes Road” synagogue, Orthodox). The flagship synagogue of Liverpool Jewry, Princes Road Synagogue is experiencing a revival under his dynamic leadership, along with his wife, Shulamit, in a permanent, part-time role; they arrange visits to the synagogue, Shabbat hospitality, educational events and student Shabbatonim. The synagogue has 150-family members and is active in serving Jews in the counties of Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester. He also serves the community in Southport, North Merseyside on an ad hoc basis. Rabbi Ariel writes a regular Torah column in the London Jewish News and works as a consultant in academia, education, UK law and halacha. He and his wife are members for Faith Network for Manchester and independently operate a wide network of contacts for improving intercommunal relations.
Rabbi Abel previously served as the rabbi of London congregations (Waltham Forest and Radlett 2002-2010) and has accumulated almost a decade serving the Jewish community on Merseyside (1999-2002, 2012-current). From 2005-2010 he served as Director of the Montefiore Endowment Semicha Programme at Lauderdale Road.
Since May 2017 Rabbi Abel has held a Territorial Army Commission of Captain and serves as a Chaplain or “Padre” to HM Forces, serving Merseyside Army Cadet Force based at Altcar, North Liverpool.