Syracuse Hillel has announced the appointment of Rabbi Natan Levy as the new campus rabbi. Rabbi Levy will also serve as the Jewish chaplain at Hendricks Chapel, Syracuse University. He previously held positions as head of operations for the Faiths Forum for London and senior lecturer at Leo Baeck College in the United Kingdom.
“We at Hendricks Chapel are excited to continue our partnership with Syracuse Hillel and welcome Rabbi Natan Levy to the Syracuse University campus community,” stated 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.”
Rabbi Levy, originally from California, received his rabbinical ordination in 2006 from Yeshivat Ha’Mivtar in Israel. His previous roles include university Jewish chaplain for Western England and Wales (2005-2008) and environmental liaison to the Chief Rabbi’s Cabinet (2008-2012), advising on government policy platforms and nonprofit groups. He also served various leadership roles within British Jewish communities.
“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,” said 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 Ph.D. in environmental theology from the University of Bristol, an M.A. in Jewish Studies from King’s College, and a B.A. in religious studies from Pomona College in California. His academic works focus on interfaith understanding and ecological sustainability.
“It has long been a dream of mine to serve alongside chaplains of many faiths,” said Rabbi Levy, expressing his enthusiasm about building bridges through collaborative programs.
Jillian Juni, executive director of Syracuse Hillel, commented on his appointment: “We are thrilled to welcome Rabbi Natan Levy as our new campus rabbi…I am confident that he will support our efforts in building robust Jewish life, deepening community partnerships, and strengthening our interfaith work.”
