Josh Levine has been named executive director of Santa Barbara Hillel. He will oversee the Santa Barbara Hillel staff as they provide Jewish education, programming, and community primarily for the 3,000 Jewish undergraduate and 450 graduate students at UCSB and the 500 Jewish undergraduate students at Santa Barbara City College.

Levine has experience managing across the nonprofit, legal and education sectors. He most recently served as the executive director of Herzl Camp, a pluralistic overnight camp in Wisconsin for Jewish communities in Minnesota, throughout the upper Midwest, and around the world.

Previously, he has worked in leadership positions at the Brandeis-Bardin Campus of American Jewish University and Camp Alonim in southern California. Levine earned his B.A. from Brown University and his J.D. from UC Berkeley School of Law.

“I look forward to returning to California to join Santa Barbara Hillel, which serves as a pillar in the community for Jewish students across the city’s colleges and universities,” Levine said.

“My career has been dedicated to working with Jewish youth to instill a sense of belonging, and I can think of no better next step to continue this work than with Hillel,” he said.

“Josh’s arrival is a highly anticipated addition to the vibrant Jewish student community in Santa Barbara, and we look forward to welcoming him to the Hillel movement,” said Adam Lehman, president/CEO of Hillel International.

“His vast experience working with other Jewish organizations will surely enable him to hit the ground running along with the rest of the terrific team at Santa Barbara Hillel,” Lehman said.

“Josh’s leadership will foster more opportunities for meaningful Jewish life among 3,000 Jewish undergraduates at UCSB, 450 graduate students at UCSB, and 500 undergraduate students at SBCC,” said Dr. Mark Silverberg, president of the Santa Barbara Hillel Board of Trustees.

“In his new role, Josh will oversee our Hillel staff as they provide thoughtful education, innovative programming, and an inclusive community for Santa Barbara students,” he said.

Santa Barbara Hillel welcomes students of all backgrounds to connect with their Jewish peers and build community around shared values. Santa Barbara Hillel encourages students to engage with the aspects of their Judaism, including those that relate to Israel, religion, spirituality, and their shared Jewish heritage.