Rabbi Levi Varnai is the current VTT school rabbi. He is an awesome rabbi and great teacher to many students. We decided to interview him about his life as an orthodox rabbi.
Q: At what point did you know you wanted to become a rabbi and what made you decide to become a rabbi?
A: I always wanted to be a rabbi, it was a lifetime dream. This dream started when my friends were dreaming of becoming cops and firefighters.
Q: What is your favourite part of being a rabbi?
A: Teaching people, not just children but also adults.
Q: Besides being a rabbi, what other jobs have you participated in and what have you done before VTT?
A: I served three years in the IDF (Israeli Defence Force) as a chaplain and I also went to yeshivot in Israel and New York and got my rabbinical ordination in 2011. We moved back to Vancouver in 2013 and I worked for the Kollel as the Assistant Rabbi and Youth Director and since 2016, I have been working as the congregational rabbi of The Bayit.
Q: What made you decide to move back to Vancouver from Israel?
A: Although life in Israel would be so much simpler as an orthodox Jew, my wife and I decided that we want to raise our family with the values of shlichut* and netina**. From our vantage point, there is no better place than Vancouver’s Jewish community.
Q: What type of family did you grow up in?
A: I grew up in a large family and I am one of 11 children. In fact, my nieces and nephews, Shiran (gr.6), Agam (gr.1), and Lishai (preschool) Cohen go to VTT.
Q: What is your favourite part about being the school rabbi at VTT?
A: Spending time with all the classes. I love being able to start the day with grade one and ending the day with grade sevens! I also love seeing kids grow from year to year. It is so cool to see children who I had in grade one graduate here at VTT. Another thing I enjoy is when students ask me well thought out and smart questions, not just about the Tanakh, but also about life and logic. I also really enjoy davening*** with families on Friday in the Old Shul. Not only do I love teaching them, but I also love studying Torah through the Chidon HaTanach club with grades 5-7. I love seeing them succeed in the Regionals round. Seeing them working so hard makes me really happy!
Q: What is your favourite part about being the rabbi at The Bayit synagogue?
A: At The Bayit, I love working with people as well as teaching them.
Q: What is it like to have a large family?
A: Like I said, I am one of eleven children and I also have seven children. It is always exciting and there is always someone to talk to. You are never alone.
Q: As an orthodox rabbi, why do you like teaching at a Jewish community day school?
A: I believe that one of the beautiful things that defines a small Jewish community like Vancouver is that regardless of your ideology, our children are all under the same roof, helping to foster a strong sense of community. Personally, I think our diversity is the strength of VTT. No matter if you’re Hareidi, Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, or Secular, we all are a community and should respect each other, no matter what.
*: Shlichut is the Hebrew word for “mission”, “agency”, “task”, or “outreach”. According to Chabad.org, it refers to a Chabad rabbi-and-wife couple who are dispatched to a certain locale to foster Jewish life and serve the population in any way possible. These shlichim devote themselves to their community for life. Shlichut is also the inspiration and empowerment of the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneersonz’l at whose behest the shlichim (emissaries) are dispatched.
**:Netina is the Hebrew word for “giving” or “giving of one’s time and energy”
***: Davening is the Yiddish word for praying.
