Rabbi Dr. Aaron Spiegel

Executive Director/President, GIMA

The Greater Indianapolis Multifaith Alliance (GIMA) gathers faith leaders representing the diverse religious traditions of Indianapolis into Sacred Friendships, to collaborate on civic advocacy projects that serve the common good of greater Indianapolis, making our city a more equitable place. Its focus is on the eviction and homelessness crises of our city.

In recent years, few individuals have influenced the broader multifaith landscape as profoundly as Rabbi Spiegel. As Executive Director and President of the Greater Indianapolis Multifaith Alliance, he has brought together faith leaders from diverse traditions into genuine partnership, building bridges, fostering collaboration, and advancing a shared vision of a more equitable Indianapolis. Through his leadership and widely read communications, he has amplified voices and connected communities across our state.

Rabbi Spiegel’s service is both visionary and deeply practical. He is a tireless advocate at the community and legislative levels, championing affordable housing, immigrant support, and solutions for homelessness. His leadership spans the Hoosier Housing Needs Coalition, the Immigrant Welcome Center, and the Indiana Eviction Justice Network, where he has advanced efforts like court watching to promote justice and accountability. He has helped bring critical conversations forward through initiatives such as the public screening of Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness and the “Marion County Trustees” report, and his advocacy has contributed to transformative efforts like Streets to Home Indy, uniting faith communities to end chronic homelessness.

Aaron’s influence is rooted in decades of leadership and innovation in congregational life. Yet what distinguishes him most is not just his resume, but his presence, whether speaking from a podium, organizing coalitions, or standing on a street corner on a Sunday morning, offering food and dignity to those in need.

Aaron leads GIMA as its inaugural Executive Director and President. He was one of the founding staff members of the Center for Congregations, and architect of the Congregational Resource Guide. He served on the board of Synagogue 3000, then as its president and CEO. During this tenure, he and Rabbi Lawrence Hoffman established the Synagogue Studies Institute which still operates as the only synagogue-focused research organization, collecting and interpreting data about synagogues for the American congregational landscape.