Shmuly Yanklowitz (born 1981) is an American open orthodox rabbi and activist. In March 2012 and March 2013, Newsweek listed Yanklowitz as one of the 50 most influential rabbis in America.
Educational and professional background
Yanklowitz was ordained as an Orthodox rabbi at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, received a second rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, the chief rabbi of Efrat, and a third rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo of Jerusalem. He earned a master's degree at Harvard University in Leadership and Psychology and a second master's degree in Jewish Philosophy at Yeshiva University. Yanklowitz earned a doctorate from Columbia University in Epistemology and Moral Development.
Yanklowitz worked in corporate and non-profit consulting and was the director of Panim Judaism, Activism and Mitzvah work (JAM) in Washington, D.C., training others in leadership and advocacy. While in rabbinical school, Yanklowitz served at four different Orthodox congregations. Yanklowitz served as Senior Jewish Educator and Director of Jewish Life at UCLA Hillel from 2010 to 2012 following his ordination. Yanklowitz has served as a delegate to the World Economic Forum. In July 2013, he became the executive director of Valley Beit Midrash (VBM) in Phoenix, Arizona, and later assumed the roles of president and dean. Yanklowitz expanded VBM from a local initiative to a national organization, establishing a new hub in Denver, Colorado around August 2022 according to Boulder Jewish News. As the leader of VBM, Yanklowitz has promoted religious pluralism.
In 2025, Yanklowitz launched a new initiative called "Thrive By Character" seeking to spark a new American discourse and replace the current divisive political rhetoric with a more uniting discourse focused on character. He is building off his research from his Masters at Harvard and his Doctorate at Columbia University in Moral Development and his disillusionment that activism can create lasting change without human transformation.
A film crew followed Yanklowitz for over a year to produce a PBS documentary named The Calling, a series that follows seven Muslims, Catholics, Evangelical Christians, and Jews as they train to become professional clergy. The program aired in the United States in December 2010.
The Forward named Yanklowitz one of the 50 most influential Jews of 2016 and also one of the most inspiring rabbis in America.
In 2020, Yanklowitz was named a "Hero of Dialogue" by the international group KAICIID.
In 2022, Yanklowitz was honored by The Leonard I. Beerman Foundation For Peace and Justice, alongside Dolores Huerta.
In 2022, Yanklowitz was recognized as one of the top faith leaders to watch by the Center for American Progress.
Yanklowitz spoke at the White House Passover Seder and has been a regular at the White House Chanukah events.
Phoenix mayor Greg Stanton appointed Yanklowitz to be a commissioner on the Phoenix Human Relations Commission.
Yanklowitz founded YATOM: The Jewish Foster & Adoption Network in 2017. Yanklowitz's organization YATOM provides "educational programs and provides small grants" to families in the adoption/fostering process. He has been a foster parent.
Yanklowitz founded Uri L'Tzedek, an Orthodox social justice organization. In 2025, Uri L'Tzedek was expanded to Washington DC. In May 2009, Yanklowitz and the Uri L'Tzedek team launched the Tav HaYosher, an ethical seal for Kosher restaurants that has certified hundreds of restaurants around North America.
Yanklowitz has advocated for refugees and asylum seekers at the Mexico-United States border, calling the need to assist asylum seekers a "spiritual revolution". Yanklowitz is critical of what he claims is the mistreatment of asylum seekers. Through Uri L'Tzedek and Arizona Jews for Justice, Yanklowitz and partners have raised awareness on the issue and have led campaigns to collect supplies for asylum seekers released by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Yanklowitz has led initiatives to support Afghan refugees.
Yanklowitz founded Torat Chayim, a "progressive-minded" Orthodox rabbinic association.
Yanklowitz founded and leads the Jewish social justice group Arizona Jews for Justice.