Our Guiding Light

Chabad is a global movement of joyful Jewish education and community connection driven by the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe. With his profound love for humanity and boundless optimism, the Rebbe launched an unprecedented range of Jewish institutions, programs and social services. Chabad of the South Shore, together with tens of thousands of emissaries and volunteers of all denominations continue the Rebbe’s mission to create a world of goodness, G-dliness and redemption.

No sector of the community has been excluded—young and old; men and women; leader and layman; scholar and laborer; student and teacher; children, and even infants. 

Chabad strongly upholds the belief that every Jew, indeed every human being, has a unique role to play in the greater scheme of things and is an integral part of the tapestry of G‑d's creation.

Meet the Team

Rabbi Levi Katzman

Rabbi and co-director

Rabbi Levi Katzman grew up in Brooklyn, New York. Rabbi Levi studied in Brooklyn, France, Germany and Baltimore. Passionate about creating Jewish community, Levi spent time doing outreach work in many places throughout the world and ran camps for many summers in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. He has a keen ability to connect with people of all demographics and backgrounds. Levi is a gifted teacher, experienced administrator and a great coffee date! 

Freidy Katzman

Co-director

Freidy grew up in Montreal, Canada. After completing studies in Montreal and Israel, Freidy taught in Winnipeg, Ohio, New Jersey, Massachusetts and California. The unique spirit of each place enriched her deep appreciation for Judaism that affect her to this day. Freidy's wisdom and warmth make connecting with her easy and enjoyable. 

As a Synagogue, Jewish Community Center, Hebrew School, Jewish Studies Center and more, Chabad of the South Shore is serving the needs of the Jewish community on the South Shore of Staten Island. Chabad of the South Shore is under the auspices of Chabad Lubavitch of Staten Island.

Rabbi Levi and Freidy moved to Staten Island in 2014 to run Chabad of the South Shore with a vision of creating a vibrant Jewish community center where all feel welcome to discover, connect, and celebrate. The Katzmans have since welcomed five children into their family, Mendel, Mussie, Chana, Ita and Golda.