Cover Photo: From left to right: Rabbis & Rebbetzins Levi Levertov, Menucha Levertov, Nechomele Levertov, Shmuly Levertov, Rochel Levertov, Yosef Levertov, Mendy Levertov, Mussy Levertov, Rikki Hertz, Mendel Hertz, Mendel Marasow, Mussi Marasow. Not pictured are Rabbi Zev and Ariela Johnson. Credit: Andrew Holmes

By Allison Teegardin 

The story of Chabad in Austin began in Austin, Texas in 1973 when Rabbi Shimon Lazaroff began making trips from Houston to teach students at The University of Texas at Austin. Later that year he purchased the building at 2101 Nueces St. and opened the Chabad House near campus. Like much of Austin, the local Jewish community was much smaller than it is today only blossoming as the years progressed. Nearly a decade later, Rabbi Yosef Levertov moved to Austin at the invitation of the then UT rabbi, Rabbi Traxler, with a vision for growing Chabad locally. Today, with six centers (and seven rabbi-rebbetzin couples) throughout Greater Austin, Chabad’s growth is indicative of the expanding Jewish community.  

In 1984, Rabbi Yosef Levertov and his wife Rochel Levertov moved to Austin to join Chabad Lubavitch of Austin and two years later they were given the keys. Year over year it continues to grow. Chabad of Austin has been the catalyst for many important firsts in the city. Some of the most notable accomplishments include establishing a Kosher deli and store at H-E-B, a Kosher bakery at Randall’s, opening Austin’s only mikvah (Jewish ritual bath), developing the area’s first Jewish day school program, running Camp Gan Israel (Jewish day camp) as well as a pre-school, offering year-round Jewish event programs for the community such as the Mega Challah Bake, and even inviting the governor to participate in the annual Hanukkah Menorah Lighting at the State Capitol.  

“Throughout the world, where there are Jews, there are menorah lightings. And my feeling is that in places like Austin where there is a lot more going on around other non-Jewish holidays, a menorah in public display is a minimum,” said Rabbi Yosef Levertov. What began as a small gathering at the UT campus has now grown into a public celebration at the Capitol as well as around town in several neighborhoods including some who have reached out and asked for menorah lightings in their communities.  

“My wife Rochel and I recognized the need for a Jewish presence in the Austin area and moved in the early 1980s with the goal of establishing a Chabad center to serve the local Jewish community,” said Rabbi Yosef Levertov. With the vision of spreading the message of Judaism and providing a welcoming space for people to connect with their faith and heritage, their dream had become a reality.  

Although Chabad has been part of Jewish life in Austin for more than five decades, the movement, which is a branch of Hasidism, is much older, dating back more than 250 years. The word “Chabad” is a Hebrew acronym for the three intellectual faculties of chochmah (wisdom), binah (comprehension) and da’at (knowledge). The word “Lubavitch” is the name of the town in Russia where the movement was based for more than a century before branching out across the world. Lubavitch in Russian means “city of brotherly love.” It was the seventh Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson (z”l), who transformed Chabad from a movement into the organization that it is today.  

The six Chabad centers in Austin include Chabad of Austin, the Rohr Chabad Jewish Student Center at the University of Texas at Austin, Chabad of South Austin, Chabad Young Jewish Professionals (YJP) and Downtown Austin, Chabad of Round Rock and Chabad of Leander.  

Even with a full calendar of events, classes and programs, Chabad leaders in Austin are equally committed to the entire Jewish community which extends beyond their buildings. “The relationship we have with Shalom Austin and the Greater Austin Jewish community is very important to us,” said Rabbi Yosef Levertov. “I remember when Shalom Austin moved to its current location, and I was there every week teaching a Talmud class.” Additionally, the collaboration between Chabad of Austin and Shalom Austin has proven instrumental during times of dire need. “During the infamous February Freeze, we worked with YJP volunteers to help move a JFS [Shalom Austin Jewish Family Service] client.”  

“I am proud of the incredible growth and impact Chabad has had on the Austin Jewish community. Their dedication to cultural and spiritual enrichment, education, and family and young adult engagement has truly transformed the lives of many. Our partnership with Chabad enables us to combine our strengths and resources to drive even greater growth and positive change in Greater Austin,” said Shalom Austin CEO Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus.  

As the Levertovs made a home in Austin, the time came when their young children were ready to start school. It was then Rochel Levertov started a Jewish day school at the encouragement of a few other Jewish parents nearby. What started in their living room and then moved to the Chabad house near UT is now a standalone school located at Chabad of Austin. The school grew from serving five or six families to more than 60 and growing.  

The elementary school recently joined Tamim Academy, a new network of day schools that is a play-based, holistic approach to education. “We teach complete Judaica and secular curriculums during a full day of schooling,” said Rochel Levertov.  

“The kids come out of the program not just gaining knowledge, but also thinking, solving problems, having feelings and understanding their feelings. They are taught to feel for others. We ask kids to think before they do something, how the other person will feel. Don’t just do, think,” said Rochel Levertov.  

In addition to providing educational opportunities, Chabad of Austin also operates Aleph Bet Preschool as well as Camp Gan Israel, a Jewish summer day camp with daily field trips, Jewish cultural activities, sports and more. Led by Rochel Levertov and co-directors Rabbi Levi Levertov, son of Rabbi Yosef and Rochel Levertov, and his wife Menucha Levertov, the camp has grown from 40 campers in 2021 to 110 in 2024. Rabbi Levi Levertov credits the growth of the day school and camp to “the tremendous foundation set by my parents through forty years of building infrastructure and setting the foundations for a tremendous Jewish community here. We have seen that blossoming in the community.”  

The Jewish Outlook had the opportunity to talk with many local Chabad leaders to learn more about their impact and growth in the city.  

Chabad Young Jewish Professionals and Downtown Austin 

“It’s been a longstanding vision in the Chabad movement that the more involved one is in Judaism, the happier they will be,” said Rabbi Mendy Levertov, son of Rabbi Yosef and Rochel Levertov. Sharing memories of growing up with Chabad and knowing at an early age this was something he wanted to do, Rabbi Mendy Levertov said when he and his wife Rebbetzin Mussy Levertov moved back to Austin, they recognized the Jewish young adult population was growing and began programming for this audience at Chabad of Austin. Then in 2015, they formed Chabad Young Jewish Professionals and Downtown Austin.  

In addition to Jewish holiday programing for the community, Rabbi Mendy Levertov is also involved in helping to bring more Jewish experiences to the city in nontraditional ways such as during SXSW. “The Chabad rabbi who runs the SXSW Shabbat programing works with us and we do it together. Last year, we included programming on the street with a truck where we recorded podcasts, handed out Shabbat candles and challah,” said Rabbi Mendy Levertov.  

Chabad of Round Rock 

Chabad of Round Rock was formed in 2019 and is led by Rabbi Mendel and Mussi Marasow, daughter of Rabbi Yosef and Rochel Levertov. Rabbi Mendel is originally from Montreal and has studied in Montreal, Toronto and Israel. Mussi is an Austin, Texas native. Chabad of Round Rock also serves the communities surrounding its immediate area such as Georgetown and Pflugerville.  

“The people in our area are very supportive of the Jewish community and it is very comforting to know that,” said Rabbi Mendel. Further noting how people often approach him in public asking questions about Judaism, he offers his number, inviting them to talk anytime. “We cater to everybody. There is also a strong emphasis on engaging the non-Jewish community for the mitzvahs they have,” said Rabbi Mendel.  

Chabad of South Austin 

By 2021, it became clear that another Chabad was needed to meet the needs of the growing and changing South Austin Jewish community. Chabad of South Austin is led by Rabbi Mendel Hertz and his wife Rikki Hertz, daughter of Rabbi Yosef and Rochel Levertov. Rabbi Hertz was born and raised in Chicago, where his parents lead the Chabad community there since 1991.  

Born and raised in Austin, Rikki studied in New York, continuing on to a teacher’s seminary in Israel before returning to Austin.  

“As Austin was growing and traffic increased, causing hurdles for people to get to places, people expressed the desire to have something more local to serve the areas south of the river,” said Rabbi Hertz.  

Some of the growing programs at Chabad of South Austin include programming for families and for older adults, weekly classes and Shabbat services. There is also the Hebrew School of the Arts, a space that instills the joys of tradition, promotes a strong sense of Jewish values, and ensures a strong Jewish future. 

“Before we got here we weren’t sure what the exact need would be. Since we got here we definitely see a need as we have seen growth year over year. We are excited to continue to bring Jewish pride to South Austin,” said Rabbi Mendel Hertz.  

Chabad of Leander 

The newest Chabad in Austin is led by Rabbi Shmuly Levertov, son of Rabbi Yosef and Rochel Levertov, and his wife Nechomele Levertov. Rabbi Shmuly Levertov is an Austin native. Nechomele was born in Texas and was raised in Michigan.  

Upon moving back to Austin, Rabbi Shmuly Levertov recalls his father asking him if he had interest in building Chabad in Leander. Joking that his only recollection of the city was when he was a young boy and went there for horseback riding, Rabbi Shmuly Levertov says the growth of the city, especially the Jewish community, has been great. “Last year, our first event in Leander was for Purim and we had 10 people come. This year for Purim, we had 100.”  

This year, Chabad of Leander received a grant from Shalom Austin to support their commitment to serving the underserved Jewish communities, many with young families, in Cedar Park, Leander and Liberty Hill, Texas. 

Rohr Chabad Jewish Student Center at University of Texas 

In 2005, Chabad of Austin began to develop a plan to have two focus areas – one aimed to serve the greater Jewish community and the other serving college students. As a result, Rabbi Zev Johnson and his wife Ariela moved to Austin in 2007 to lead Rohr Chabad Jewish Student Center at the University of Texas at Austin and have been there ever since. 

“I am incredibly proud of our students for stepping up and making a significant impact both locally and globally. This past year, we saw unprecedented student leadership, with many requesting mezuzahs and engaging in our diverse Jewish programming,” said Rabbi Zev Johnson. “What a unique year it has been, from rallying proudly over 600 students on October 9 at the iconic Tower at UT, to hosting Dean Lillian Mills of the Mccombs business school comforting over 100 students, to bringing 25 students to the Israel rally in DC. We hosted the Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem and held grand Challah Bakes in support of Jewish unity. We reached out to the non-Jewish world (FIJI), where I spoke about Judaism to over 100 members, taught the Outsmarting Antisemitism class, and hosted a Nova Festival Massacre Survivor, where a large group of students as well as Deans and Provosts attended. We also hosted Tamid Israel Shabbat with a business leader and IDF member. Our Shema viral video, with over 37k likes and 257k views, sparked crucial conversations during campus protests. These efforts, including educational initiatives and global trips, highlight our students’ dedication to showing Jewish pride and strength and combating antisemitism. We look forward to making an even bigger impact in the future. Am Yisrael Chai!”  

Recently, the rise in antisemitism following the October 7th terrorist attacks in Israel has presented overwhelming distractions and hardships for many Jewish students on college campuses across the nation. In response, Rohr Chabad at the University of Texas at Austin is “Outsmarting Antisemitism” through education, experience, and engagement on campus. Their programs received recognition and support from the Shalom Austin Grants Committee with an $8,295 grant which will aid with interactive courses, transformative trips to Poland and collaborative initiatives to unite against bigotry and promote inclusivity.  

While the Jewish population continues to grow in Austin so does the need for more Jewish opportunities and infrastructure to meet people where they are at, both in location and on their personal Jewish journey.  

As each local Chabad center is completely independent, self-funded directly from donations and grants from the community and localized constituents, the directors say that the strong growth is indicative of a diverse and thriving Jewish community. When asked what they see for their future in Austin, they all responded with a resounding “it depends on the growth of the community and what it needs and wants.”  

In 2024, Shalom Austin awarded grants to the UT Chabad Student Center, Chabad of South Austin and the Hebrew School of the Arts, Chabad Leander, as well as the Chabad of Austin’s Camp Gan Israel and Tamim Academy. “Chabad does a great job expanding into broader Austin communities to reach Jews who live further from the Dell Jewish Community Campus. They create community around holidays, fostering accessibility and inclusivity,” said Shalom Austin Grants Committee co-chair Carly Sansom. As Chabad in Austin continues to support the growing and expanding local Jewish population, Shalom Austin is proud to support them in return.  

“A lot of the Chabad centers here are in their infancy and we are all excited about the trajectory of growth for the future,” said Rabbi Levi Levertov. “The Chabad vision is to bring Judaism to the people where they are and where they need it.”  

Rabbi Yosef Levertov added, “People who attend Chabad may be completely unaffiliated or very involved in their congregation – we provide to everyone without any strings attached.” ■ 

For more information about Chabad in Austin, visit chabadaustin.com/centers.