By Dara Harper
Syracuse Hillel has appointed Rabbi Natan Levy as campus rabbi. Levy, who most recently served as head of operations for the Faiths Forum for London and senior lecturer at Leo Baeck College in the United Kingdom, will also serve as Jewish chaplain at Hendricks Chapel.
“We at Hendricks Chapel are excited to continue our partnership with Syracuse Hillel and welcome Rabbi Natan Levy to the Syracuse University campus community,” says the Rev. Brian Konkol, vice president and dean of Hendricks Chapel. “As a proven rabbinic leader with extensive global interfaith experience, Rabbi Levy is an inspiring educator with a caring heart for students. I look forward to all the ways he will enrich the lives of Jewish students and beyond, to ensure all students are prepared to lead in service to our common good.”
Levy, originally from California, received his rabbinical ordination in 2006 from Rabbi Chaim Brovender and Rabbi Shlomo Riskin at Yeshivat Ha’Mivtar, Israel. After serving as university Jewish chaplain for Western England and Wales from 2005-2008, Levy then served as environmental liaison to the Chief Rabbi’s Cabinet from 2008-2012, during which time he advised the late Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks at various government policy platforms and nonprofit working groups. Rabbi Levy also served as head of the London School of Jewish Studies Responsibility Unit, rabbi of the Shenley United Jewish Community and head of interfaith outreach at the Board of Deputies of British Jews.
“I am so honored to join Hendricks Chapel and Syracuse Hillel. I’m excited to engage with students and partake in thoughtful conversations that support each person’s journey as leaders and scholars,” says Levy. “Hendricks Chapel’s interfaith work of deepening Syracuse students’ faith foundations whilst encouraging a diversity of ideas has had a profound ripple effect, so much so that even during my tenure in England, I learned of its impact.”
Levy holds a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in environmental theology from the University of Bristol, a master of arts (M.A.) in Jewish Studies from King’s College, and a bachelor of arts (B.A.) in religious studies from Pomona College in California. His scholarly works focus on interfaith understanding and ecological sustainability, having published “Genesis 1-11, the Rise of Agriculture and the Earliest States” and co-authored “Sharing Eden: Green Teachings from Jews, Christians and Muslims.”
An internationally respected leader, Levy has been awarded a Gingko Interfaith Fellowship, KAICIID Interreligious Dialogue Fellowship, McCaul Scholarship, Hass/Koshland Memorial Award and JNF Scholarship for Environmental Activities.
“It has long been a dream of mine to serve alongside chaplains of many faiths, building bridges and creating programs that broaden perspectives and help us grow, even in disagreement,” said Rabbi Levy. “I look forward to growing and learning from my colleagues as we create spaces for transformation now and into the future.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Rabbi Natan Levy as our new campus rabbi,” says Jillian Juni, executive director of Syracuse Hillel. “At Syracuse Hillel, our staff team works hard every day to provide care for our students and Rabbi Levy will no doubt only strengthen our offerings. I am confident that he will support our efforts in building robust Jewish life, deepening community partnerships, and strengthening our interfaith work.”