Community
Retired rabbi turns podcaster to show power of Camden’s community
Rabbi Shlomo Levin was senior rabbi of South Hampstead Synagogue for over four decades
August 29, 2025 16:12
Rabbi Shlomo Levin was senior rabbi of South Hampstead Synagogue for over four decades
August 29, 2025 16:12A retired rabbi has turned podcaster by launching a new series which shines a light on the transformative power of community.
South Hampstead Synagogue’s Rabbi Emeritus Shlomo Levin MBE is the host of a new eight-part series, Camden Unlocked, which seeks to explore the universal value of shared belonging and what makes this corner of north-west London one of the capital’s most vibrant boroughs.
In each episode, Levin speaks with individuals from all walks of life who have dedicated themselves to strengthening communal ties in and around Camden, from heads of grassroots support groups for women and children’s play areas to a local GP, who puts patients at ease by taking them to her local allotment to talk.
Speaking to the JC, Levin said: “A community thrives because of meaningful connections between people who are joined together by a common purpose. Everything is down to people. Having seen the power of community within the Jewish context, I wanted to explore how other people, particularly those in non-faith-based spaces, benefit from that sense of belonging found in communities.”
Originally from South Africa, Rabbi Levin, 78, came to the UK in 1975 and was, together with his wife, Rebbetzin Dr Lynndy Levin, at the helm of South Hampstead shul for more than four decades, during which time they oversaw significant growth of the community.
Levin retired in January this year and was appointed Rabbi Emeritus of the shul. The Camden Unlocked podcast is one of Levin’s first initiatives in his post-pulpit role.
In its debut episode released last week, Levin speaks to Tina Ramdeen, associate director of young people at The Roundhouse, who shares how music, youth programmes and safe and accessible spaces are shaping the lives of Camden’s younger generations.
“Through the experience of the guests I interviewed, it became clear to me that Camden has something very special that enables its people to find a sense of belonging and cohesion that is an unexpected joy in the midst of a global city,” Levin said. “I believe what I found is a hopeful model for Britain today as a cohesive society.
“There are so many different communities and amazing things happening in Camden, and this podcast is a way for people to be exposed to some of them, and inspired by the amazing people behind it,” Levin said.
Even if listeners do not live in the borough, the values gleaned from each episode are universal, he said, like how communities deal with loneliness, marginalisation or safety concerns, or how they draw people in and foster connection.
“It’s easy listening and applicable to all,” Levin said.” The guests featured were each chosen by me, and they all said how much they enjoyed the conversation. So, it’s been a real win-win for everyone and a highly enjoyable process for me.”
He added: “Many of the values we feel very strongly about as Jews are common themes in the podcast, like the importance of connectedness, purpose, face-to-face interaction, just being with people. Every human being needs that, Jewish or not Jewish.”
Episodes of Camden Unlocked, released weekly on Thursdays, except on Yom Kippur when it is released a day earlier, can be found on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
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