Today we’d like to introduce you to Rabbi Levi Katz.
Hi Rabbi Levi, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised in Miami, Florida, where my parents devoted their lives to providing material and spiritual support to Jewish men and women behind bars and to those serving in the US military with the Aleph Institute. After years of study in rabbinical yeshivah, I became a rabbi and shortly after met my wife, Mindy.
Mindy was born and raised in Key West, FL, where her parents direct a successful Jewish center serving the needs of the Jewish Community throughout the Keys.
We were deeply inspired by the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who taught that every Jew matters and that no community is too small or too far to deserve vibrant Jewish life. We knew we wanted to move to a place that needed it.
After discovering Amelia Island on the map, we came for a visit and met so many warm, welcoming people. We immediately felt this was home. In November 2024, we moved to establish the Chabad Jewish Center of Amelia Island & Nassau County, joining the network of Chabad centers across the First Coast. Chabad is known for its active and all-inclusive approach to Jewish outreach and seeks to provide services to Jews of all denominations, regardless of affiliation, especially those in areas with little or no Jewish institutional presence. To date, Chabad runs more than 3,500 educational, religious, and social service institutions in 100 countries around the globe.
We started meeting people one by one, hosting small classes, holiday programs, and Shabbat dinners. Slowly, it grew. In August 2025, we opened the doors to the first physical synagogue and Jewish community center in Amelia Island’s history, with over 100 people from the community in attendance. That was a very important moment for us. It was the culmination of nine months of building relationships and community, and at the same time, it illuminated the path toward a bright future.
Since then, the growth hasn’t stopped. From public menorah lightings to holiday celebrations, adult education, children’s programs, and life-cycle events, Chabad has become a real hub of Jewish life in Nassau County, and we’re just getting started.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It wasn’t easy moving across the state, away from family and friends, to a place without kosher food or a synagogue. But we felt privileged for the opportunity and ready for the challenge. it never really felt like a struggle.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We love meeting new people, and we especially love introducing them to each other. Before we arrived on Amelia Island, there wasn’t much of a Jewish presence here, and from day one, we have worked to change that. We bring the community together through classes, holiday programs, events, and even publishing Jewish articles in the local newspaper. I am also active in the wider community, connecting with local officials and participating in town events.
One of the moments that always sticks with me is when a Jewish resident who has lived here for years, thinking they were the only one, walks into an event and sees a room full of Jewish neighbors and friends. Their jaw drops, and in that moment, you realize the impact of building a community.
What I am most proud of is giving people the opportunity to do a Mitzvah. A Mitzvah is a good deed, and when we do a Mitzvah, we make the world a better place. Everywhere I go, I try to encourage people to do even one small Mitzvah. Make someone smile, say hello to your neighbor, wrap Tefillin, light Shabbat candles. Find something you can do today to make the world a better place.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I studied in Israel for four years.
Pricing:
- Whats most unique about Chabad is we dont have generic membership fees you can expect from other synagogues. Chabad relies completely on the generosity local supporters and friends
Contact Info:
- Website: ChabadAmeliaIsland.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jewishameliaisland/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JewishAmeliaIsland/
