John Levi (rabbi)

Rabbi John Simon Levi (born 1934) is an Australian Progressive rabbi and author. Upon ordination in 1960, he began serving Melbourne's Temple Beth Israel. He became senior rabbi of the congregation from 1974 until 1997, when he became rabbi emeritus. He is also the founder of Melbourne's King David School.

Background
Levi has deep family roots in Australia stretching back to the mid 1800s, which include Nathaniel Levi, the first state Jewish MP. He attended Melbourne Grammar School and graduated from the University of Melbourne with a double major in Philosophy and Semitic studies. He then spent time living on a kibbutz in Israel before relocating to the United States to study at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati.

As a student rabbi, he was the first rabbi to serve Auckland's fledgling Reform congregation, Beth Shalom. He also served West London Synagogue in London, as well as congregations in Texas and Iowa. Levi became the first Australian born rabbi when he was ordained in 1960. and joined the staff of Temple Beth Israel. He was senior rabbi there from 1974 to 1997 when he became Rabbi Emeritus. He was named as Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Beth Israel in 1997 Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) of Monash University.

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.

Levi was created a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 1981 Queen's Birthday Honours. In the 2021 Australia Day Honours, Levi was awarded the highest level of honour, the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC). 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".