Melbourne rabbi named among global young Zionist honourees
Rabbi Daniel Rabin the only Australian on JNF/Jerusalem Post list
Caulfield Shule senior rabbi Daniel Rabin has been ranked 19th in the 2026 Top 25 Young ViZionaries, an international list of influential Zionists under 46 compiled by The Jerusalem Post and Jewish National Fund-USA.
Rabbi Rabin is the only Australian on this year’s list, which was announced on September 11 ahead of Rosh Hashanah.
Now in its fourth year, the list has previously included Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin, who was ranked sixth in 2023.
Rabbi Rabin said he was told of his selection in a message from one of the organisers’ staff.
“I don’t know how I’m in this company,” he told The AJN.
He said he shared the honour with his wife, Rebbetzin Sarah, and the Caulfield Shule community.
“All I’ve been doing is just really trying to stand up for the Jewish community and for Israel,” he said.
“I think there’s been way too much disinformation, misinformation, libels and hatred towards our people and towards our beautiful Israel. And I felt as a rabbi, I have a unique voice, and with social media today, we can reach further than just the regular pulpit. And that’s what I’ve done since October 7.”
Rabbi Rabin said his advocacy extends from Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn to meetings with political leaders, radio interviews and opinion pieces.
“Wherever I can share my voice, I’m trying to do that,” he said.
Originally from Johannesburg, Rabbi Rabin became senior rabbi of Caulfield Shule in November 2021 and serves as a Victoria Police chaplain. He gave evidence to the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion in May and recently signed a new contract with the shule.
JNF-USA chief executive Russell Robinson told The Jerusalem Post this year’s honourees were using the internet and social media to support the Zionist cause.
Rabbi Rabin said being the only Australian selected was “a real privilege”.
“Sadly, obviously after Bondi, the world saw Australia in a different light,” he said.
He said he hoped that since October 7, Israel had seen “how much support they have from the Jewish community here, how strong we are”.
He described the recognition as belonging to all Australian Jewry “for the work we’ve been doing to combat the hate and to stand up for Israel”.
Rabbi Rabin said a higher international profile would give his voice more reach. He understood there would be a gathering of the 25 honourees next year, although he did not yet know the details.
“It’ll be really amazing to meet the others who are selected and to be inspired by them, to learn from them, and to hear about their work and challenges,” he said.
He praised young leaders at UIA, JNF and WIZO among others, and said the honour would give him “additional energy and inspiration and motivation to think bigger” about working with Jewish communities beyond Australia and Israel.
“I’m hoping this will open those doors that we can think broader than just what’s happening here in Melbourne,” he said.
“I think it’s just nice to be able to have this recognition before Rosh Hashanah,” he said.
“I think the Jewish world is still reeling from October 7. The Jewish community in Australia is still reeling from Bondi. We need positive energy. We need almost like a restart to hopefully face 5787 with courage, with pride, with joy.”
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