A message from the MJO Board of Directors:

With joy and excitement, we are thrilled to share that Rabbi Hanniel D. Levenson has officially begun his role as Executive Director and Spiritual Leader of Maui Jewish ‘Ohana (MJO) as of January 5, 2026. We are delighted to welcome Rabbi Hanniel and to begin a vibrant new chapter of Jewish life on Maui together.

After several months of a thoughtful and collaborative interview process - including the participation of members of our Maui Jewish community - we took a close look at what the future of our ‘ohana requires. It became clear that MJO has reached a stage where leadership beyond what a small volunteer board can sustainably provide is needed. Through this process, we became confident that Rabbi Hanniel has the proven qualifications to be the right leader for this moment at MJO. Throughout the interview process, his warmth, vision, creativity, and genuine care for people and community stood out clearly.

Rabbi Hanniel brings a rare and compelling blend of spiritual leadership, organizational vision, creativity, and heart. Most recently, he served as Head Rabbi of Congregation Mount Sinai in Brooklyn Heights, and previously as Associate Rabbi and Director of Education at the Jewish Center of the Hamptons. Across these roles, he has led communities with compassion and imagination, and with a strong commitment to building Jewish life that is inclusive, meaningful, progressive, and alive.

What most inspired us was Rabbi Hanniel’s deeply human and joyful approach to Judaism. He understands Jewish community as a living, evolving ecosystem—one that honors different identities, backgrounds, and levels of observance, while inviting people into connection through many doorways. His leadership emphasizes listening, collaboration, curiosity, and joy, with entry points that include prayer and study, music and movement, nature-based ritual, embodied practice, creativity, and celebration.

In his dual role as Executive Director and Spiritual Leader, Rabbi Hanniel supports both the spiritual and practical foundations of MJO. His vision includes a steady rhythm of Shabbat and holiday gatherings, inspiring adult learning, children’s and teen programming, pastoral care, and community-building experiences- alongside thoughtful administration, clear communication, and sustainable growth.

Rabbi Hanniel is ordained by the Academy for Jewish Religion (NY) and holds a Master of Science in Environmental Policy from Bard College and a Bachelor of Arts in Hebrew and Judaic Studies from NYU. He is also an artist and surfer, deeply connected to nature, whose spirituality is shaped by creativity, movement, and time in the ocean. His Judaism integrates tradition with mindfulness, music, meditation, and the natural world—an approach that feels especially at home here on Maui.

We would also like to express our deep gratitude to Rabbi Sandra for her spiritual leadership, guidance, and care over the past two years. Rabbi Sandra has been an important presence in our community, and we are grateful that she will continue to be part of our MJO ‘ohana as we move forward.

Rabbi Hanniel will arrive on Maui on January 22, and we are excited to host a community gathering on January 25 so everyone can meet him in person. Details for this gathering will be shared by email by the end of this week, and we hope you will join us to welcome him into our MJO ‘ohana. If you have attended any Hanukkah, Passover, Sukkot, or Shabbat celebrations with MJO, please join us - and feel free to invite friends who may not yet be on our mailing list.

Please join us in extending a warm and joyful welcome to Rabbi Hanniel Levenson. We are filled with gratitude, optimism, and excitement for the Jewish life we will continue to build—together.