John Levi (rabbi)

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Rabbi Dr

John Levi

AC
Personal
Born
John Simon Levi

1934 (age 88–89)[1]
ReligionJudaism
NationalityAustralian
SpouseRobyn Levi (née Selby)[2]
DenominationProgressive Judaism
TempleTemple Beth Israel, Melbourne
Jewish leader
Ordination1960
PostRabbi Emeritus of Temple Beth Israel, Melbourne (since 1997)

Rabbi John Simon Levi AC (born 1934) is an Australian Progressive rabbi and author. He was the rabbi at Melbourne's Temple Beth Israel for many years and was a founder of Melbourne's King David School.[3]

Levi was created a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 1981 Queen's Birthday Honours.[4] In the 2021 Australia Day Honours, Levi was awarded the highest level of honour, the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).[5] He was given the award for "eminent service to Judaism through seminal roles with religious, community and historical organisations, to the advancement of interfaith understanding, tolerance and collaboration, and to education".[6]

Levi became the first Australian born rabbi when he was ordained in 1960[7] and joined the staff of Temple Beth Israel. He was senior rabbi there from 1974 to 1997 when he became Rabbi Emeritus.[8] He was named as Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Beth Israel in 1997 Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) of Monash University.[9]

Levi helped found the Australian Council of Christians and Jews in 1985. He was also a vice president of the World Union for Progressive Judaism from 1974 to 1998.[10]

Levi has deep family roots in Australia stretching back to the mid 1800s, which include Nathaniel Levi, the first state Jewish MP.[11]

Bibliography[edit]

Levi has written about 20 books,[12] including

  • Levi, John S (1976), A dictionary of biography of the Jews of Australia, 1788-1830 (Limited ed.), Gardner Printing, retrieved 30 January 2021
  • Levi, John S; ProQuest (Firm) (2013), These are the names : Jewish lives in Australia, 1788-1850 (Second ed.), Miegunyah Press, ISBN 978-0-522-86418-2

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Levi, John S., 1934-". Libraries Australia. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  2. ^ "History of The Leo Baeck Centre" (PDF). 2004. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  3. ^ Kuttner, Michael (16 February 2018). "A conversation with Rabbi John Levi". J-Wire. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  4. ^ "Member of the Order of Australia (AM) entry for Rabbi John Simon LEVI". It's an Honour, Australian Honours Database. Canberra, Australia: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 8 June 1981. Retrieved 26 January 2021. For service to religion
  5. ^ "Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) entry for Rabbi Dr John Simon LEVI AM". It's an Honour, Australian Honours Database. Canberra, Australia: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021. For eminent service to Judaism through seminal roles with religious, community and historical organisations, to the advancement of interfaith understanding, tolerance and collaboration, and to education.
  6. ^ Wood, Richard (25 January 2021). "Malcolm Turnbull, Gai Waterhouse and Tim Cahill among star names on Australia Day Honours list". www.9news.com.au. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  7. ^ "Honorary doctorate for Rabbi Emeritus Dr John Levi". 17 May 2006. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  8. ^ "Rabbi Emeritus Dr John Simon Levi AM". mgs.vic.edu.au. Melbourne Grammar School. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  9. ^ "John Levi". Melbourne University Press. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  10. ^ "Our Rabbis". Temple Beth Israel. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
  11. ^ Webb, Carolyn (2 December 2006). "Nation's first Jews an 'obsession' for rabbi". The Age. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  12. ^ "Levi, John S. (1934-)". Person. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
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