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Rabbi
Hazzan (Cantor) Lev Ettelson has been the spiritual leader of Beth Emeth Congregation since 2023. Before moving to the West Valley, Reb Lev lived in Tucson, Arizona, where he taught at the Tucson Hebrew Academy and frequently led Shabbat and Holiday services at Congregation Bet Shalom. Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi empowered him as a Ba’al Tefillah (master prayer leader), Maggid (Torah teacher and storyteller) and Life Cycle Pastor, granting him the title of Reverend in 2014. He is currently enrolled at The Rabbinical Academy (Mesifta Adath Wolkowisk), where he is completing his studies for rabbinic ordination. He previously studied at various yeshivot (religious seminaries) in Israel and at Ulpan Milah Jerusalem Institute for Hebrew between 1994 and 2001.
Reb Lev has a B.A. in Religious Studies from State University of New York, a Para-Chaplain Certificate from Jewish Family Service of Denver and a Jewish Educator Certificate from the Colorado Agency for Jewish Education. Reb Lev has worked as a Hebrew School teacher, assistant director and B’nai Mitzvah tutor in Boulder, Colorado where he also served as the hazzan and interim spiritual leader of Congregation Aish Kodesh before relocating to Arizona in 2015.
Born and raised in Highland Park, Illinois, his family belonged to North Suburban Synagogue Beth El (USCJ) where he was inspired by Rabbi Samuel Dresner and Rabbi-Cantor Reuven Frankel. He was the Ritual Vice President of the Beth El Tefillin Club and enjoyed summers at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin. After high school he became interested in Asian religion and philosophy, especially Buddhism and Taoism. He began practicing meditation in his early twenties studying with various (Jewish) Zen Masters such as Philip Kapleau, Norman Fischer, Bernie Glassman and most recently, Henry Shukman. In 1999 he joined the staff of Elat Chayyim Retreat Center in the Catskills, where assisted with programs and practiced Jewish meditation under the guidance of Rabbis David Zeller, David Cooper and Jeff Roth.
His earlier careers included massage therapist, bookseller, executive assistant for non-profit organizations, I.T. specialist and restaurant worker. For many years he acted in community theaters in Vermont and Colorado. He enjoys spending time in nature, finding inspiration in the National Forest lands of the Southwest.
Reb Lev is interested in post-denominational Judaism and interfaith dialogue guided by the example of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel who said, “No religion is an island” and “Theologies divide us; depth theology unites us.” He has been developing collegial relationships with rabbis of all denominations and clergy of other faiths. He learned the art of “deep ecumenism” from his mentor Reb Zalman. “Divinity is an underground river that no one can stop, and no one can dam up… many wells, one river (Eckhart and Fox).” As Rav Avraham Yitzchak Kook wrote, “Love for people should be alive in the heart and soul, loving every person, especially, and loving all nations.”
You can reach Reb Lev at hazzan@bethemethaz.org or by calling the office at (623) 584-7210.
Hazzan (Cantor) Lev Ettelson has been the spiritual leader of Beth Emeth Congregation since 2023. Before moving to the West Valley, Reb Lev lived in Tucson, Arizona, where he taught at the Tucson Hebrew Academy and frequently led Shabbat and Holiday services at Congregation Bet Shalom. Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi empowered him as a Ba’al Tefillah (master prayer leader), Maggid (Torah teacher and storyteller) and Life Cycle Pastor, granting him the title of Reverend in 2014. He is currently enrolled at The Rabbinical Academy (Mesifta Adath Wolkowisk), where he is completing his studies for rabbinic ordination. He previously studied at various yeshivot (religious seminaries) in Israel and at Ulpan Milah Jerusalem Institute for Hebrew between 1994 and 2001.