Shlomo Nathanson was born and raised in the United States, and in 2008, he moved to Australia with his wife, Rivki. From a young age, Shlomo has been deeply passionate about Jewish community life and creating meaningful, lasting connections.
In 2015, Shlomo joined the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation (Toorak Shule) as Assistant Rabbi, becoming Chief Minister in 2020. In this leadership role, he is dedicated to fostering an inviting, engaging environment where members can connect with their Judaism in ways that are personally meaningful. Under his guidance, MHC offers a traditional, yet accessible, Orthodox Jewish experience, with a strong emphasis on community participation and spiritual growth. Shlomo is also the Co-Founder and CEO of C Care, an organization he established with Rivki in 2012 to combat social isolation and food insecurity. What began as a grassroots initiative distributing food to 200 local families has grown into a leading community organization serving over 2,500+ people each week. C Care’s vibrant volunteer network works to address not only the physical needs of individuals but also builds a sense of belonging and care for those it serves. Before founding C Care, Shlomo and Rivki also established the Chabad Jewish Community Centre (CJCC) in Port Melbourne in 2010, creating vital Jewish infrastructure in an area previously without any. Both CJCC and C Care are cornerstones of Shlomo’s deep commitment to the wellbeing of the Jewish community, addressing both its spiritual and material needs.
Underlying all Shlomo’s work—whether at MHC or C Care —is a profound care for each individual and a passion for fostering strong, vibrant Jewish communities.
