Rabbis of LA | Rabbi Levi Cunin: The Chance Car Ride That Changed His Life

It was a Sunday morning in June, 1994 when 23-year old Rabbi Levi Cunin and his father went for an unplanned Southern California car ride. Little did he know the ride would change his life.

“It was right after the Rebbe (Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, global leader of the Chabad movement) passed away in New York,” Rabbi Cunin recounted. “Our family had just returned to Los Angeles after shiva. We were all broken hearted. Then my father (Rabbi Baruch Shlomo Cunin, Chabad’s west coast director) told me what the Rebbe had once told him. ‘When everything seems like it is falling apart, open another Chabad House.’”

Before they knew it, the father and son found themselves in Malibu. “I really don’t remember why we ended up there. But on the spot we decided Malibu would be the next Chabad House, and I would run it,” he said. 

Rabbi Levi didn’t waste any time. They had a strong supporter of Chabad who lived in the area and knew he owned storefront properties, one of which was vacant. They asked him if they could use the space temporarily to open a Chabad center. He agreed and a week later Chabad of Malibu opened its doors for Shabbat services. Not long after, they moved to a permanent location.

Today Chabad of Malibu serves the entire Malibu Jewish community that stretches 27 miles along Pacific Coast Highway and beyond. It offers weekly shabbat and holiday services as well as an infant center and preschool for children 6 months to 5 years old.

“The Gan Malibu preschool and infant center is run by my wife Sarah who has done a phenomenal job,” The 51-year old rabbi said. “In fact, she consistently wins the Malibu Choice Award for best preschool, an award given by the Malibu Surfside News.”

 As further proof of the school’s success, the rabbi is quick to point out that parents typically enroll their children for the quality general education, as the Malibu Jewish community is not particularly religious. When the kids get a bit older they usually attend private or public school. “At least they get a solid taste of Jewish values in their youngest years,” he explained.

“I always thought I would work in community service, but didn’t think it would be as head of a Chabad community.”

One of 14 children, all of whom are involved in the Chabad system, Rabbi Cunin admits that as a young rabbinical student he had doubts that running a Chabad community was his calling. “Growing up in a household where my father was (and still is) Chabad’s West Coast director, I saw firsthand all the responsibilities and pressures he faced on a daily basis,” he said. “I always thought I would work in community service, but didn’t think it would be as head of a Chabad community.”

The Malibu Chabad is one of upwards of 5,000 Chabad centers throughout the world, all of which share the same mission – to bring Judaism to Jews wherever they live. Each is run independently and is responsible for its own fundraising, programming and budgeting.

The father of nine, most of his children are following in his and his wife’s footsteps working in some capacity in the Chabad network. But not all; As an example of “community service being in our blood,” he points to their oldest son, Mendel, who lives in New York and works as a therapist.

One might think that serving the Malibu Jewish community is an enviable assignment simply because of its reputation as a wealthy community. While it does enjoy a global image of multimillion dollar mansions, the rabbi notes that  the area also contains Jews of all income levels who live in apartments and modest homes many of which are members of his Chabad community. 

Take the wild fires that stuck three years ago, which unfortunately destroyed a number of Malibu homes, forcing many residents to leave the area. On the other hand when COVID struck and remote work became the norm, they saw an uptick in the Jewish community.

The growth of Chabad of Malibu is evident in that Rabbi Cunin recently brought in Rabbi Shalom Eagle and based him at Pepperdine University, which is located by the Malibu coastline. It is a unique achievement in that Pepperdine is a Christian University but has Jewish students, some of which keep kosher. Rabbi and Mrs. Eagle have ongoing Torah classes, programs and events and are working with the University to provide kosher food options. In addition, last year they had a menorah on campus for the first time.

For a rabbi who was unsure that he possessed the drive and skills needed to run and grow a Chabad community, Rabbi Cunin has no regrets. “We have people that are interested in helping the Jewish community in our work and for that we are extremely grateful,” he said. “But most of all as long as we have faith in Hashem, we are in good hands.”

Fast Takes with Levi Cunin

Jewish Journal: What’s your favorite Jewish food?

Levi Cunin: My wife’s challah, no doubt. It is amazing.

Jewish Journal: What advice do you have for someone considering entering the rabbinate?

LC: Be authentic, bold, empathetic and remember what we stand for.

Jewish Journal: What is your favorite family activity?

LC: Hiking. My entire family loves hiking in the hills.

Jewish Journal: Describe your perfect Shabbat.

LC: Praying, learning and just spending time with each other in the community.