About Rabbi Dr Abraham Levy OBE

"When it comes to religious leadership, listen to Rabbi Levy, he’s better at this than we are!”

This is what Rabbi Sacks told me when I took the helm of LSJS. For over thirty years Rabbi Levy was the spiritual head of the Spanish and Portuguese community in the UK during which time he was an inspiring figure, a shrewd leader, and a constant innovator.

Rabbi Levy knew how to get things done. Never forget that the characters God reaches out to in the Bible were not shrinking violets detached from society. On the contrary, they were people of action spurred on by prophecy. Abraham built a community of believers, Rebecca ensured the future of her progeny, Moses faced down Pharaoh, and Elijah bravely challenged corrupt King Ahab. None of them backed down when it came to the crunch.

In his ability to deliver meaningful change, it seems to be that Rabbi Levy was a modern incarnation of these champions of faith.

He began his association with LSJS in the 1950s when it was known as Jews’ College. In 1968 he gained his rabbinical diploma from the college,and later his PhD in association with the University of London.

Rabbi Levy was always a steadfast advocate of the institution’s ethos: rigorous religious and academic training guided by an appreciation of historical context and the need to communicate Judaism eloquently and persuasively for the modern Jew. He was a passionate defender of what he called "the middle way".

In 1994 he became the Deputy President of Jews’ College, working closely with its President, then Chief Rabbi, Lord Sacks. They had a great affection for each other. One year, on the day of our annual LSJS Graduation Ceremony, I distinctly remember watching them as they approached the hall, dressed in their fine academic robes. They walked arm in arm, talking and laughing with a rare light-heartedness.

Through the Montefiore Endowment, Rabbi Levy assisted the regeneration of LSJS. He was an important mentor to me who imparted religious wisdom and sage advice in equal measure. With a gentle demeanour, and invariably with an apt story, he would criticise bad decisions and praise successful outcomes. When he called, it was never to gossip but because something important needed doing: a programme to be revitalised, an up-and-coming talent to be helped, a kindness to bring joy.

Rabbi Levy was so proud of theprestigious history of his community. He was deeply involved in reverence for the past. And yet, at the same time, he was more forward-thinking that any rabbi I have ever known. Attributed to Sir Thomas More, there is a quote that balances this dual concern: “Tradition is the handing down of the flame and not the worship of the ashes.” Rabbi Levy’s love of Sephardic tradition was not a stuckness in yesteryear. It was a realisation that it contains a treasure-trove of knowledge and ideas to guide and renew our community for many years to come…"