Early life and Education
Rabbi Levy was raised in Manchester and attended Manchester Grammar School. [4]
He has been involved with Progressive Judaism since childhood, having grown up as a member of Menorah Synagogue (Cheshire Reform Congregation) and in the youth movement RSY-Netzer.
His parents – Lesley and Julian Levy – came from Orthodox backgrounds, but “searched to find a form of Judaism which would be right for them and their children” so joined Menorah, where they both later served as Chair. His brother, Rabbi Joel Levy, is also a rabbi. [5]
His paternal grandfather, Rev Dr Isaac Levy, was Senior Jewish Chaplain to the British Armed Forces. [6] Rev Levy was among the British troops who liberated the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. Rabbi Levy spoke of his grandfather’s legacy when representing Progressive Judaism at the Holocaust Memorial Day UK commemoration in 2025. [7]
Rabbi Levy received a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) from Exeter College, Oxford University, and a masters in Social Policy and Planning from the London School of Economics. [2]
Career
Rabbi Levy’s career in the Jewish community began when he became Finchley Reform Synagogue’s education director in 1999. [8]
While taking the job at first in order to “pay the rent”, he soon realised he had “a passion for Jewish life and tradition”.
He entered the Rabbinic Programme at Leo Baeck College in 2002, receiving ordination in 2007. [9] His rabbinic thesis was on Tractate Gerim of the Babylonian Talmud, which deals with laws of converts and conversion.
His first rabbinic role was as Assistant Rabbi (Education) at West London Synagogue from 2004-2008. [10] He joined Alyth in 2008, serving until 2023 including as Principal Rabbi from 2019. He is now Rabbi Emeritus. His 15 years at Alyth was described by the chair of the community as “dedicated” and “visionary”, creating a “flourishing synagogue”. [11]
At Alyth he led a transformation of prayer life, including the introduction of new styles of service. He developed innovative, engaging and musical tefillah (prayer services). During this period, he served as Chair of the Assembly of Reform Rabbis and Cantors, and as Chair of the Standing Committee of the Reform Beit Din.
In 2023, he was appointed as Chief Executive of The Movement for Reform Judaism. [12] Alongside Rabbi Charley Baginsky – CEO of Liberal Judaism – and the two movements’ respective chairs, he spearheaded the project to unite Reform and Liberal Judaism into one Progressive Judaism for the UK and Ireland.
Writing a joint op-ed in the Jewish News in 2023, Rabbis Levy and Baginsky said: “This is an idea whose time has come. Both movements feel like truly equal partners and we can finally put in place the move that people have talked about for decades. Led by our Boards and our rabbinates, this isn’t a merger or a takeover but the formation of a brand-new movement, Progressive Judaism.” [13]
Rabbis Levy and Baginsky then spent two years touring the country to speak to members of every Progressive community – either in person or online – about the union. He said: “We want members of our communities to feel a part of the conversation and the changing face of Judaism.” [14]
In May 2025, the decision to merge was officially made at two parallel Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs) of member communities, with the number of votes in favour at each exceeding 95%. [15]
On the day of the result, Rabbi Levy said: "We have heard first-hand how Progressive Jews all around the country want to take this once-in-a-generation opportunity to create something new and intentional – a Progressive Judaism that has something to say into the world and that can help more people have more fulfilling religious lives." [16]
As well as his role as Co-Lead of Progressive Judaism, Rabbi Levy is a lecturer in Progressive Rabbinic Decision Making at Leo Baeck College. [17] [18]
